American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 48, 1479-1481, Copyright © 1988 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Wrist, spine, and hip bone density in women with variable histories of lactation

CA Koetting and GM Wardlaw
Department of Human Nutrition and Food Management, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.

This study investigated the relationship between long-term lactation (greater than or equal to 10 m/child) and bone density in women aged 26- 37. The subjects either experienced long-term lactation for 1-2 children (n = 10), long-term lactation for 3-4 children (n = 8), or were nulliparous (n = 10). The three groups did not differ significantly in height, weight, percent of ideal weight, usual caffeine and calcium intake, or duration of oral contraceptive use. Bone-density measurements were obtained by single- or dual-photon absorptiometry from the ultradistal radius, lumbar spine (L2-L3), and three hip sites: femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochanteric. Lactation history was not associated with significant differences in bone density in any bone site. With respect to height, weight, Ca intake, and duration of lactation, only height was correlated to bone density and only for L2-L3 (r = 0.48, p less than 0.02). Thus, a history of long-term lactation may not be associated with low peak adult bone density.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. S. Kovacs and H. M. Kronenberg Maternal-Fetal Calcium and Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy, Puerperium, and Lactation Endocr. Rev., December 1, 1997; 18(6): 832 - 872. [Abstract] [Full Text]

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