[Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis. A new case]

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis is a rare disorder and its pathophysiology remains unknown. EXEGISIS: We report a case of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis in a 27-year-old primiparous patient, revealed by acute lumbar pain and a right costal pain during the last month of pregnancy. The standard radiographs showed multiple vertebral compression fracture and a 10th rib fracture. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was established by osteodensitometry. Diagnostic work-up excluded a secondary osteoporosis, and the outcome was favourable with an increase of bone mineral density after 2 years of treatment with calcium, vitamin D and alendronate 10 mg/j.

Although rare, diagnosis of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis should be suspected when thoracic or lumbar spine pain occur during pregnancy or in the post-partum period as it can lead to vertebral or peripheral fractures.