Bone and mineral metabolism in primiparous women and its relationship with breastfeeding: a longitudinal study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in bone metabolism in breastfeeding women (BF). We selected 30 primiparous women and compared them to 31 nulliparous women. We assessed bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and trochanter (TROC), biochemical parameters of bone turnover and hormone and cytokine levels at the puerperium, 6 months and 12 months after delivery. A trend to lower BMD of LS was seen at initial evaluation in BF. BMD in LS, FN, and TROC were increased 12 months after delivery. Baseline body mass index was higher in puerperal women (p = 0.02) and correlated with an increased FN and TROC BMD one year post delivery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003). An increase in bone remodeling markers, and lower urinary calcium was observed; after 12 months these values normalized. Prolactin, parathormone related peptide (PTHrP) and IL-6 were enhanced during the first six months of breastfeeding. We conclude that calcium for breastfeeding was obtained by transient mobilization of calcium deposits from the trabecular bone, and urinary calcium sparing induced by calciotrophic hormones and cytokines. Body weight is an important factor in proximal femur BMD.