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Bone mineral changes during and after lactation.

M A Laskey1, A Prentice

  • 1MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom. ann.laskey@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk

Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 8, 1999
PubMed
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Breastfeeding causes temporary bone mineral loss, which reverses after lactation stops. Residual bone mineral changes after breastfeeding may be linked to pregnancy, not lactation duration, warranting further study on long-term effects.

Area of Science:

  • Bone biology
  • Human physiology
  • Reproductive health

Background:

  • Bone mineral density (BMD) changes during lactation are a concern for maternal health.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for postpartum recovery and long-term skeletal integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate bone mineral alterations in women during and after lactation.
  • To compare changes between breast-feeding, formula-feeding, and non-lactating women.

Main Methods:

  • Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD in 59 breast-feeding, 11 formula-feeding, and 22 non-lactating women.
  • Measurements were taken at multiple sites (whole body, spine, hip, forearm) at 0.5, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum.
  • An additional measurement was taken 3 months after lactation cessation for prolonged breastfeeders.

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Main Results:

  • Lactation led to temporary decreases in bone mineral at various sites, which reversed with declining lactation and resumed menstruation.
  • These bone mineral changes were not observed in formula-feeding women.
  • Post-lactation, significant residual increases in bone mineral were noted at the whole body, spine, and greater trochanter, while the femoral neck showed a decrease.

Conclusions:

  • Lactation is associated with transient bone mineral reductions.
  • Significant residual bone mineral effects persist after lactation, potentially linked to prior pregnancy rather than lactation duration.
  • The long-term impact of lactation on femoral neck bone mineral requires additional research.