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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Postpartum bone mineral density in Korean women: associations with lactation status and calcium intake
Cheawon Lee1, Hangyeol Jeon1, Yoon Ha Kim2
1Department of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
Background/Objectives:
Postpartum bone metabolism undergoes substantial alterations based on breastfeeding status. Research on maternal calcium intake and bone recovery, particularly among Asian women, remains limited. This study investigated postpartum change in bone mineral density (BMD) and its association with calcium intake during late pregnancy and post-delivery according to breastfeeding status.
Subjects/Methods:
Thirty-six women (22 breastfeeding, 14 non-breastfeeding) underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry 3 times: 1) within 3 days of delivery, 2) at 6 mon postpartum for non-breastfeeding women or within 1 mon of weaning for breastfeeding women, and 3) at 12 mon postpartum. Dietary calcium intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire and dietary supplement survey at all visits. Association between calcium intake with percentage change in BMD (%ΔBMD) was assessed by linear regression.
Results:
The BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter significantly decreased during breastfeeding, whereas non-breastfeeding women displayed increased BMD at the femoral neck at 6 mon postpartum. In non-breastfeeding women, postpartum calcium intake was positively associated with %ΔBMD at the total hip, femoral neck, and intertrochanter (P < 0.05). Few significant associations were observed between %ΔBMD and late pregnancy intakes across all women, regardless of breastfeeding status. At 12 mon, BMD in breastfeeding women recovered to delivery levels, while non-breastfeeding women maintained their BMD observed at 6 mon postpartum.
Conclusion:
Postpartum calcium intake is positively associated with bone recovery in non-breastfeeding women, suggesting that its effects on bone recovery potentially vary with lactation status.
Trial Registration:
Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0005118.
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