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Maternal ultrasound bone density in normal pregnancy
P Paparella1, R Giorgino, A Maglione
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Pregnancy affects maternal bone density, with significant reductions observed in the third trimester. This study used ultrasound densitometry to monitor bone quality changes during gestation.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Bone Densitometry
- Fetal Development
Background:
- Maternal bone mineral density can be affected by the physiological demands of pregnancy.
- Assessing bone quality during pregnancy is crucial for maternal health.
- Ultrasound densitometry offers a non-invasive method to evaluate bone properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pregnancy on maternal bone mineral density.
- To utilize ultrasound densitometry to measure changes in bone quality throughout gestation.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 230 healthy pregnant women using ultrasound densitometry.
- Measured speed of sound (SoS) and Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) in the os calcis across trimesters.
- Calculated a 'Stiffness' variable combining SoS and BUA to indicate bone quality.
Main Results:
- Observed statistically significant reductions in SoS, BUA, and Stiffness in the 3rd trimester compared to the 1st and 2nd.
- Found significant negative correlations between gestational age and ultrasound densitometry parameters.
- Demonstrated a linear decrease in ultrasound bone density throughout pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Maternal bone density shows a linear reduction during pregnancy.
- The most significant decrease in bone density occurs in the 3rd trimester.
- This reduction correlates with increased fetal calcium transfer during late gestation.