Effects of lactation on bone mineral content in healthy postpartum women

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Obstet. Gynecol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6153126

Hayslip, C C; Klein, T A; Wray, H L; Duncan, W E

Bone mineral contents were estimated by dual photon absorptiometry of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and single photon absorptiometry of the mid- and distal radius in 19 healthy women on their second postpartum day and at 6 months postpartum. All bone mineral measurements were performed by one technician, and the single and dual photon absorptiometry results were read by one observer. Daily oral calcium intakes were estimated from dietary histories obtained by a dietitian. Twelve women who breast-fed exclusively throughout the first 6 months postpartum were compared with seven formula-feeding women who did not breast-feed or who breast-fed for less than 3 months postpartum. No differences were found in age, parity, height, weight, or daily calcium intake between the breast- and formula-feeding women. Breast-feeding women had a significant decrease (averaging 6.5%) in bone mineral of the lumbar spine at 6 months postpartum as compared with 2 days postpartum (1.14 +/- 0.03 versus 1.22 +/- 0.03 g/cm2, mean +/- SEM; P less than .001), whereas no significant change occurred in the formula-feeding women at 6 months (1.24 +/- 0.03 versus 1.26 +/- 0.04 g/cm2). At 6 months postpartum, the breast-feeding women had a significantly lower mean bone mineral content of the lumbar spine than did formula-feeding women (P less than .05). No significant changes were noted in bone mineral content of the mid- or distal radius in either group of women during the period of evaluation. We conclude that during the first 6 months postpartum, breast-feeding is associated with bone mineral loss from the lumbar spine, but not from the mid- or distal radius.

• Research Organization: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6153126
• Journal Information: Obstet. Gynecol.; (United States), Vol. 73:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
LACTATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MINERALS
BODY COMPOSITION
SKELETON
EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DIET
HOMEOSTASIS
PREGNANCY
VERTEBRAE
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELEMENTS
METALS
ORGANS
TOMOGRAPHY
550601* - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics