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Bone mineral changes during pregnancy and lactation: a longitudinal cohort study
N Kolthoff1, P Eiken, B Kristensen
1Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hillerød Hospital, Denmark.
Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|June 26, 1998
Summary
Pregnancy and lactation cause bone loss, particularly in the spine, but bone mineral density typically recovers after menstruation resumes. High calcium intake did not prevent this bone loss.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive health
- Bone metabolism
- Women's health
Background:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) changes during pregnancy and lactation are not fully understood.
- Previous studies have yielded conflicting results on bone loss during these periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of pregnancy, lactation, and weaning on bone mineral density in healthy women over a 2-year period.
- To identify specific sites of bone loss and recovery patterns.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 59 pregnant and lactating women.
- Bone mineral density measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at various skeletal sites (radius, lumbar spine, proximal femur, whole body).
- Measurements taken from the 18th week of gestation through 18 months postpartum.
Main Results:
- A decrease in bone mineral density was observed during pregnancy and lactation, with varying patterns across different skeletal sites.
- The spine showed the most pronounced bone mineral density reduction (5.2% within 3 months postpartum).
- Bone loss tended to reverse after the resumption of menstruation, with full recovery by 18 months postpartum in most women.
Conclusions:
- Bone loss during pregnancy and lactation primarily affects the trabecular skeleton.
- Resumption of menstruation is associated with a regain of bone mass towards baseline levels.
- Calcium intake, weight changes, or initial bone mineral density did not appear to influence bone loss during these reproductive stages.