Pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis in the mother after the first and second children: A case report

INTRODUCTION: This study reports an unusual experience of a mother who may have developed birth-related osteoporosis after each of the births of her two children. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 31-year-old woman presented with lumbar back pain. She had given birth to her first child through vaginal delivery 4 months prior and was breastfeeding. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple fresh vertebral fractures, but continued breastfeeding resulted in further loss of bone density. The bone mineral density recovered after weaning. The patient gave birth to a second child three years after the first child's birth. She opted to discontinue breastfeeding after the detection of repeated instances of significant bone loss. No new vertebral fractures have occurred in the 9 years since the patient's initial visit to our clinic. DISCUSSION: We describe a case where a mother experienced multiple episodes of rapid bone loss following childbirth. Bone health evaluation at an early stage following childbirth may be effective for preventing future bone fractures. CONCLUSION: It is desirable to develop a team and guidelines for treating osteoporosis associated with pregnancy and lactation and for the next pregnancy and delivery.