Guideline Title
Guidelines for endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women.
Bibliographic Source(s)
ASGE Standard of Practice Committee, Shergill AK, Ben-Menachem T, Chandrasekhara V, Chathadi K, Decker GA, Evans JA, Early DS, Fanelli RD, Fisher DA, Foley KQ, Fukami N, Hwang JH, Jain R, Jue TL, Khan KM, Lightdale J, Pasha SF, Sharaf RN, Dominitz JA, Cash BD. Guidelines for endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women. Gastrointest Endosc 2012 Jul;76(1):18-24. [61 references] PubMed  |
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
This guideline updates a previous version: Qureshi WA, Rajan E, Adler DG, Davila RE, Hirota WK, Jacobson BC, Leighton JA, Zuckerman MJ, Hambrick RD, Fanelli RD, Baron T, Faigel DO. ASGE guideline: guidelines for endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women. Gastrointest Endosc 2005 Mar;61(3):357-62. [36 references]
UMLS Concepts ( what's this?)
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ICD9CM:
Abdominal pain, unspecified site (789.00); Cholangitis (576.1); Colonoscopy (45.23); Consultation, not otherwise specified (89.09); Diarrhea (787.91); Dysphagia, unspecified (787.20); Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP] (51.10); Exposure to unspecified radiation (E926.9); Hemorrhage of gastrointestinal tract, unspecified (578.9); Nausea with vomiting (787.01)
MSH:
Abdominal Pain; Analgesics, Opioid; Anesthesia; Anesthetics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Breast Feeding; Cephalosporins; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Cholangitis; Choledocholithiasis; Colonic Neoplasms; Colonoscopes; Colonoscopy; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Deep Sedation; Deglutition Disorders; Diarrhea; Electrocoagulation; Endoscopes; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Erythromycin; Fentanyl; Fetal Monitoring; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Lactation; Meperidine; Metronidazole; Midazolam; Naloxone; Nausea; Pancreatitis; Patient Care Team; Patient Positioning; Penicillins; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Care; Propofol; Quinolones; Radiation Dosage; Risk Assessment; Streptomycin; Sulfonamides; Tetracyclines; Vomiting
MTH:
Abdominal Pain; Anesthesia procedures; Anesthetics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotics; Breast Feeding; Cephalosporin Antibacterial [EPC]; Cholangitis; Choledocholithiasis; COLONIC NEOPLASM; Colonoscopy; Consultation; Deglutition Disorders; Diarrhea; Electrocoagulation; Endoscopes; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal Tract, Upper Tract; Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Esophagogastroduodenoscopy; Exposure to radiation; Fetal Monitoring; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Lactation; Metronidazole; Nausea; Nausea and vomiting; Pancreatitis; Patient position finding; Penicillins; Positioning patient (procedure); Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal care; Quinolones; Sulfonamides; Tetracyclines; Vomiting
PDQ:
anesthesia; colonoscopy; diarrhea; dysphagia; erythromycin; metronidazole; nausea and vomiting; propofol
SNOMEDCT:
Abdominal pain (21522001); Administration of anesthesia (399097000); Anesthetic (373266007); Anesthetic (5776009); Antenatal care (424525001); Antibacterial agent (346325008); Antibacterial agent (419241000); Antibiotic (255631004); Breast fed (169741004); Cephalosporin -class of antibiotic- (373262009); Cephalosporin -class of antibiotic- (51779009); Cholangitis (82403002); Colonoscope (90412006); Colonoscopy (73761001); Consultation (11429006); Consultation (223475005); Diarrhea (267060006); Diarrhea (398032003); Diarrhea (62315008); Difficulty swallowing (288939007); Difficulty swallowing (40739000); Digestive endoscope (312029001); Dosage of radiation exposure (446996006); Electrocoagulation (129397003); Electrocoagulation (129398008); Electrocoagulation (17590006); Electrocoagulation (257783000); Electrocoagulation (274071003); Electrocoagulation (307272003); Electrocoagulation (384708008); Electrocoagulation (73223003); Endoscope (37270008); Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (326919008); Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (386718000); Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (386720002); Erythromycin (30427009); Erythromycin (372694001); Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (387596007); Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (76009000); Exposure to radiation (218190002); Fentanyl (373492002); Fentanyl (40648001); Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (74474003); Gastrointestinal tract endoscopy (118155006); Injury of biliary tree (262804006); Lactation (63158009); Lateral decubitus position (32185000); Meperidine (387298007); Meperidine (54544005); Metronidazole (1222004); Metronidazole (372602008); Midazolam (26800000); Midazolam (373476007); Naloxone (372890007); Naloxone (89018006); Nausea (422587007); Nausea and vomiting (16932000); Neoplasm of colon (126838000); Pancreatic duct injury (262830005); Pancreatitis (75694006); Patient position finding (246273001); Patient position finding (272525001); Penicillin -class of antibiotic- (373270004); Penicillin -class of antibiotic- (6369005); Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (412463006); Positioning patient (229824005); Pregnancy (289908002); Pregnancy complications (198881004); Pregnancy complications (90821003); Propofol (387423006); Propofol (74674007); Risk assessment (225338004); Sodium phosphate (71584004); Streptomycin (387223008); Streptomycin (40877002); Sulfonamide (372788003); Sulfonamide (387406002); Sulfonamide (59255006); Swallowing painful (30233002); Vomiting (249497008); Vomiting (300359004); Vomiting (422400008)
SPN:
COLONOSCOPE, GENERAL & PLASTIC SURGERY; ENDOSCOPE AND/OR ACCESSORIES
UMD:
Colonoscopes (10-950); Electrothermal Cautery Units (11-418); Endoscopes (20-475); Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal Tract, Lower Tract (20-479); Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal Tract, Upper Tract (20-478)
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Disease/Condition(s)
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders during pregnancy including:
- Significant or continued GI bleeding
- Severe or refractory nausea and vomiting or abdominal pain
- Dysphagia or odynophagia
- Strong suspicion of colon mass
- Severe diarrhea with negative evaluation
- Biliary pancreatitis, symptomatic choledocholithiasis, or cholangitis
- Biliary or pancreatic ductal injury
Guideline Category
Evaluation
Management
Clinical Specialty
Gastroenterology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Intended Users
Nurses
Physicians
Guideline Objective(s)
- To provide guidelines for the use of gastrointestinal endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women
- To update the 2005 American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guideline on this topic
Target Population
Pregnant or lactating women who require gastrointestinal endoscopy
Interventions and Practices Considered
- Performing gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy only for a strong indication with a careful assessment of risk versus benefit
- Postponing endoscopy to the second trimester whenever possible
- Close involvement of obstetrical staff to assist with management, including determination of the degree of maternal and fetal monitoring
- Meperidine, followed by small doses of midazolam as needed, for moderate sedation
- Deep sedation, when needed, administered by an anesthesia provider
- Minimizing radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Use of bipolar electrocautery in preference to monopolar
- Use of the lateral decubitus position before, during, and after the procedure during late pregnancy
- Consideration of patient-specific factors and stage of fetal development when choosing an antibiotic
- Continuation of breastfeeding after maternal fentanyl and propofol administration
- Avoiding breastfeeding for at least 4 hours after maternal midazolam administration
- Avoiding quinolones and sulfonamides during breastfeeding
- Using penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, and erythromycin during breastfeeding
Major Outcomes Considered
- Procedural risks of gastrointestinal endoscopy to mother and child during pregnancy and lactation
- Teratogenicity of drugs and/or ionizing radiation exposure used during endoscopy
- The levels of drugs commonly used in endoscopy excreted in breast milk
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Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
Hand-searches of Published Literature (Primary Sources)
Searches of Electronic Databases
Description of Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
In preparing this guideline, a search of the medical literature by using PubMed was performed. Additional references were obtained from the bibliographies of the identified articles and from recommendations of expert consultants. When few or no data exist from well-designed, prospective trials, emphasis was given to results from large series and reports from recognized experts.
The MEDLINE database was searched through October 2011 for English language articles related to endoscopy in pregnant or lactating patients. For this search, the terms endoscopy, colonoscopy, esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), sedation and analgesia were searched in combination with the terms pregnancy and lactation. All searches were supplemented by reviewing the "related articles" feature of PubMed and any pertinent references cited by the identified studies. Although emphasis is placed on controlled clinical trials, such data are generally lacking in the pregnant patient population. Thus, case series, preliminary clinical studies, case control studies and expert opinions are utilized. In addition, the National Library of Medicine Drugs and Lactation (LactMed) database was searched to review pertinent drugs.
Number of Source Documents
Methods Used to Assess the Quality and Strength of the Evidence
Weighting According to a Rating Scheme (Scheme Given)
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Evidence
GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) System for Rating the Quality of Evidence for Guidelines
| Quality of Evidence |
Definition |
Symbol |
| High quality |
Further research is very unlikely to change confidence in the estimate of effect. |
++++ |
| Moderate quality |
Further research is likely to have an important impact on confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. |
+++O |
| Low quality |
Further research is very likely to have an important impact on confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate. |
++OO |
| Very low quality |
Any estimate of effect is very uncertain. |
+OOO |
Adapted from Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, et al. GRADE: an emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. BMJ 2008;336:924-6.
Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Systematic Review
Description of the Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Expert Consensus
Description of Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Guidelines for appropriate use of endoscopy are based on a critical review of the available data and expert consensus. The recommendations are based on reviewed studies and are graded on the strength of the supporting evidence.
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Recommendations
The strength of individual recommendations is based on both the aggregate evidence quality and an assessment of the anticipated benefits and harms. Weaker recommendations are indicated by phrases such as "the Practice Committee suggests," whereas stronger recommendations are typically stated as "the Practice Committee recommends."
Cost Analysis
A formal cost analysis was not performed and published cost analyses were not reviewed.
Method of Guideline Validation
Internal Peer Review
Description of Method of Guideline Validation
This document is a product of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Standards of Practice Committee. This document was reviewed and approved by the Governing Board of the ASGE.
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Major Recommendations
Definitions for the quality of the evidence (++++, +++O, ++OO, and +OOO) and for the strength of the recommendations ("recommends" or "suggests") are provided at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field.
Recommendations
Pregnancy
- The Practice Committee recommends that endoscopy during pregnancy should be done only when there is a strong indication and should be postponed to the second trimester whenever possible (+OOO).
- The Practice Committee recommends the close involvement of obstetrical staff to assist with management, including determination of the degree of maternal and fetal monitoring (+OOO).
- The Practice Committee suggests that for endoscopic procedures involving moderate sedation during pregnancy, meperidine is the preferred agent followed by small doses of midazolam as needed (+OOO).
- The Practice Committee recommends deep sedation, when needed, be administered by an anesthesia provider (+OOO).
- Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is generally safe in pregnancy. The Practice Committee recommends that care be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus (++OO) and risks to the mother (++OO).
- The Practice Committee recommends that when electrocautery is required, bipolar electrocautery be used. If monopolar electrocautery must be used, the grounding pad should be placed to minimize flow of electrical current through the amniotic fluid (+OOO).
- The Practice Committee recommends that in late pregnancy, women should be in the lateral decubitus position before, during, and after the procedure (+OOO).
- The Practice Committee recommends that antibiotic choice in the context of endoscopic procedures consider patient-specific factors and stage of fetal development. Although many antibiotics can be safely used in pregnancy, some are contraindicated (quinolones, streptomycin, tetracyclines) while others are safe only in certain stages of fetal development (++OO).
Lactation
- The Practice Committee suggests that breastfeeding may be continued after maternal fentanyl administration (++OO).
- The Practice Committee suggests that infants not be breastfed for at least 4 hours after maternal midazolam administration (++OO).
- The Practice Committee suggests that breastfeeding may be continued after maternal propofol administration as soon as the mother has recovered sufficiently from general anesthesia to nurse (++OO).
- The Practice Committee recommends that quinolones and sulfonamides be avoided (+OOO).
- Penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, and erythromycin are compatible with breastfeeding (++OO).
Definitions:
GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) System for Rating the Quality of Evidence for Guidelines
| Quality of Evidence |
Definition |
Symbol |
| High quality |
Further research is very unlikely to change confidence in the estimate of effect. |
++++ |
| Moderate quality |
Further research is likely to have an important impact on confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. |
+++O |
| Low quality |
Further research is very likely to have an important impact on confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate. |
++OO |
| Very low quality |
Any estimate of effect is very uncertain. |
+OOO |
Adapted from Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, et al. GRADE: an emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. BMJ 2008;336:924-6.
Recommendation Strength
The strength of individual recommendations is based on both the aggregate evidence quality and an assessment of the anticipated benefits and harms. Weaker recommendations are indicated by phrases such as "the Practice Committee suggests," whereas stronger recommendations are typically stated as "the Practice Committee recommends."
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Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
Type of Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
The type of supporting evidence is identified and graded for each recommendation (see the "Major Recommendations" field).
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Benefits/Harms of Implementing the Guideline Recommendations
Potential Benefits
- Appropriate and effective use of endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women
- In situations where therapeutic intervention is necessary, endoscopy offers a relatively safe alternative to radiologic or surgical interventions.
Potential Harms
- Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in pregnant patients is inherently risky because the fetus is particularly sensitive to maternal hypoxia and hypotension, either of which can cause hypoxia that can lead to fetal demise. Maternal oversedation resulting in hypoventilation or hypotension or maternal positioning precipitating inferior vena cava compression by the gravid uterus can lead to decreased uterine blood flow and fetal hypoxia. Other risks to the fetus include teratogenesis (from medications given to the mother and/or ionizing radiation exposure) and premature birth.
- Caution should be used in administering any level of sedation to a pregnant patient because of the increased risk of aspiration and potentially difficult airway. Pregnancy-induced physiologic changes involving the cardiopulmonary and GI systems as well as anatomic changes in the airway, such as swelling of the oropharyngeal tissues and decreased caliber of the glottic opening, make careful monitoring of the sedated pregnant patient mandatory. Refer to the original guideline document for a discussion of safety of various anesthetic agents used in GI endoscopy during pregnancy.
- The safety of polyethylene glycol electrolyte isotonic cathartic solutions has not been studied in pregnancy. Polyethylene glycol solutions are classified as pregnancy category C. Sodium phosphate preparations (category C) may cause fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and should be used with caution.
- Caution should be exercised in the use of certain medications because these drugs may be transferred to the infant through breast milk. In situations where there is a concern regarding medication or metabolite transfer to the infant, the woman should be advised to pump her breast milk and discard it as indicated for the individual medication after the procedure is complete. Refer to the original guideline document and to the "Major Recommendations" field above for additional information on safety during lactation of medications commonly used for endoscopy.
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Contraindications
- Naloxone is contraindicated in mothers dependent on opiates, because it can precipitate opiate withdrawal symptoms.
- Endoscopy is contraindicated in obstetric complications such as placental abruption, imminent delivery, ruptured membranes, or uncontrolled eclampsia.
- Sulfonamides are contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers of infants who are ill, premature, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient.
- Although many antibiotics can be safely used in pregnancy, some are contraindicated (quinolones, streptomycin, tetracyclines), while others are safe only in certain stages of fetal development. Refer to Tables 5 and 6 in the original guideline document for a list of antibiotics that can safely be used during pregnancy and lactation and for antibiotics that should be avoided.
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Qualifying Statements
- Further controlled clinical studies may be needed to clarify aspects of this guideline. This guideline may be revised as necessary to account for changes in technology, new data, or other aspects of clinical practice.
- This guideline is intended to be an educational device to provide information that may assist endoscopists in providing care to patients. This guideline is not a rule and should not be construed as establishing a legal standard of care or as encouraging, advocating, requiring, or discouraging any particular treatment. Clinical decisions in any particular case involve a complex analysis of the patient's condition and available courses of action. Therefore, clinical considerations may lead an endoscopist to take a course of action that varies from these guidelines.
- The safety and efficacy of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in pregnant patients is not well-studied. Invasive procedures during pregnancy are justified when it is clear that failure to perform the procedure could expose the fetus and/or mother to harm. Informed consent should include risks to the fetus as well as to the mother.
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Implementation of the Guideline
Description of Implementation Strategy
An implementation strategy was not provided.
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Institute of Medicine (IOM) National Healthcare Quality Report Categories
IOM Care Need
Getting Better
Living with Illness
Staying Healthy
IOM Domain
Effectiveness
Patient-centeredness
Safety
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Identifying Information and Availability
Bibliographic Source(s)
| ASGE Standard of Practice Committee, Shergill AK, Ben-Menachem T, Chandrasekhara V, Chathadi K, Decker GA, Evans JA, Early DS, Fanelli RD, Fisher DA, Foley KQ, Fukami N, Hwang JH, Jain R, Jue TL, Khan KM, Lightdale J, Pasha SF, Sharaf RN, Dominitz JA, Cash BD. Guidelines for endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women. Gastrointest Endosc 2012 Jul;76(1):18-24. [61 references] PubMed |
Adaptation
Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.
Date Released
2005 Mar (revised 2012 July)
Guideline Developer(s)
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Medical Specialty Society
Source(s) of Funding
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Guideline Committee
Standards of Practice Committee of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Composition of Group That Authored the Guideline
Committee Members: Amandeep K. Shergill, MD; Tamir Ben-Menachem, MD; Vinay Chandrasekhara, MD; Krishnavel Chathadi, MD; G. Anton Decker, MD; John A. Evans, MD; Dana S. Early, MD; Robert D. Fanelli, MD, (SAGES Representative); Deborah A. Fisher, MD; Kimberly Q. Foley, RN, (SGNA Representative); Norio Fukami, MD; Joo Ha Hwang, MD; Rajeev Jain, MD; Terry L. Jue, MD; Khalid M. Khan, MD, (NASPHAGAN Representative); Jennifer Lightdale, MD; Shabana F. Pasha, MD; Ravi N. Sharaf, MD, MS; Jason A. Dominitz, MD, MHS; Brooks D. Cash, MD (Chair)
Financial Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest
V. Krishnavec is a speaker for Boston Scientific, and D. Fisher is a consultant for Epigenomics. No other financial relationships relevant to this publication were disclosed.
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
This guideline updates a previous version: Qureshi WA, Rajan E, Adler DG, Davila RE, Hirota WK, Jacobson BC, Leighton JA, Zuckerman MJ, Hambrick RD, Fanelli RD, Baron T, Faigel DO. ASGE guideline: guidelines for endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women. Gastrointest Endosc 2005 Mar;61(3):357-62. [36 references]
Availability of Companion Documents
NGC Status
This NGC summary was completed by ECRI on April 8, 2005. This summary was updated by ECRI Institute on January 7, 2009 following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory on oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products for bowel cleansing. This summary was updated by ECRI Institute on March 10, 2009, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory on Topical Anesthetics. This summary was updated by ECRI Institute on May 1, 2009 following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory on antiepileptic drugs. This summary was updated by ECRI Institute on August 21, 2012.
Copyright Statement
This NGC summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.
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