Pregnancy associated osteoporosis – a case report

Abstract

Loss of bone mineral density (BMD) – usually temporary – occurs during pregnancy and lactation. Pregnancy associated osteoporosis (PAO) is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology. We present a case of a 35-year old woman with PAO, manifesting initially at the end of the first pregnancy as back pain. It reappeared in the second pregnancy, four years later. X-ray revealed multilevel compression fractures of Th12, L1, L2. DEXA showed L2-L4 T-score: -3.3 SD, hip T-score: -2.09 SD. Laboratory findings were irrelevant. She was put on antiresorptive treatment, calcium and vitamin D. Although there has been an improvement in BMD, the patient is a definite candidate for vertebral kyphoplasty due to disabling pain.