[Pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis: risk factors and treatment]

Pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) is a rare but serious condition. Multiple fractures often occur, mostly in the form of vertebral fractures, the mother is severely restricted and caring for the infant is barely possible without assistance. The fractures causing the complaints usually occur in the last trimester of the first pregnancy or in the first weeks of lactation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to detect vertebral fractures and also edematous vertebrae. Bone densitometry is helpful for the diagnostics and assessment of progression. It is extremely important to distinguish PLO from other secondary forms of osteoporosis that can also be manifested during pregnancy and lactation. The mother is advised to stop breastfeeding immediately in order to interrupt calcium mobilization from bone and to achieve a normalization of hormone levels. Calcium and vitamin D should be supplemented and adequate pain treatment and physiotherapy should be initiated. The quality of data is poor due to the rarity of the disease, all available anti-osteoporotic drugs have been used in case reports but overall, in the last decade off-label treatment with teriparatide has been proven to be helpful and safe.