The effect of breast-feeding duration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women: a population-based study

Abstract

IntroductionIn the present study, we investigated the effects of breast-feeding time on bone mineral density (BMD) later in life.Material and methodsThe current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 years, who were screened for osteoporosis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).They were classified into 4 groups with respect to the duration of their breast-feeding as never (group 1), 1-24 months (group 2), 25-60 months (group 3), or > 60 months (group 4). Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and lumbar spine were classified into 3 groups according to WHO criteria as normal (T score > –1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score –1.0 to –2.5 SD), and osteoporosis (T score < –2.5 SD). Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < –1.0 SD) were considered as having low bone mass (LBM).ResultsWe found a correlation between duration of lactation and femur BMD or spine BMD in the study population (r = 0.116, p < 0.005; r = –0.151, p = 0.001, respectively). Significant differences were found between femur BMD and spine BMD of groups in one-way ANOVA analysis (p = 0.025, p = 0.005, respectively). Additionally, when compared with the other three groups, group 4 was older and had longer duration of menopause (p < 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, age and body mass index were found as independent risk factors of LBM [odds ratio: 1.084 (95% CI 1.031-1.141); odds ratio: 0.896 (95% CI 0.859-0.935)], while duration of lactation was not found as an independent predictor of LBM.ConclusionsIn this study, we have found that changes of bone metabolism during lactation had no effect on postmenopausal BMD measured by DXA. Consequently, it can be suggested that long breast-feeding duration is not a risk factor for low bone mass later in life.

The Relationship of Osteoporosis Risk Factors with Bone Mineral Density in Patients Admitted Our Outpatient Clinic in Trabzon

“…Moreover, they reported that lumbar and femoral neck BMD of female patients with longer lactation periods were lower than those of female patients with shorter lactation periods. Similar results were also demonstrated in other studies (30,31) In the light of the available data, the relationship between pregnancy and bone mass is complicated and it still remains unclear. Theoretically, bone mass may decrease during pregnancy because of the requirement of calcium during pregnancy.…”

Risk factors influencing the bone health in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…18 In a recent study, Wiklund et al displayed the protective effect of lactation on bone size and strength in direct correlation with its duration while Yazici et al found no effect of lactation and its duration on postmenopausal women. 19,20 Kauppi et al also confirmed the positive effect of parity on BMD and showed inverse association between risk of hip fracture and parity. 21 Moller et al concluded in their study that pregnancy and breastfeeding cause a reversible bone loss.…”

Relationship between Breastfeeding History and Osteoporosis among Women Attending Baghdad Teaching Hospitals.

“…Many studies have shown the association between breastfeeding and osteoporosis . However, the results are conflicting , some studies found no association between breastfeeding and osteoporosis later in life (5,6), in contrast, some studies show that breastfeeding history is associated with an increased Bone Mineral Density. (7).…”