1Associate Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, T.M.U., Moradabad
2Associate Professor, Dept. of Orthopedics, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, T.M.U., Moradabad
3Professor, Dept. of Orthopedics, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, T.M.U., Moradabad
4Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, T.M.U., Moradabad
*Corresponding author: Rehana Najam, Associate Professor, Dept.of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, T.M.U., Moradabad. E-mail: najamnajam@rediffmail.com, Mobile No.: 9837291920
Online published on 27 March, 2014.
During pregnancy calcium is transferred across the placenta especially in the last trimester. The fetal skeleton requires 30g of calcium for mineralization of bone. This increased calcium demand is met by increased intestinal calcium absorption, decreased urinary excretion of calcium, increased maternal resorption & decreased maternal bone formation. Though many studies suggest that pregnancy has no or only minimal effect on bone health, but this may not be true for the Indian subcontinent where many pregnant women are very young, before they have actually attained the peak bone mass. This study was undertaken to assess the bone health in pregnant women.
This was a prospective study. All pregnant women were included in the study except those who had systemic disease, were on calcium or vitamin- D supplements or on calcium depleting drugs. The participants underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurements by Quantative Ultrasonography (QUS) of os calcis. The results of BMD were analyzed according to T-scores. Statistical analysis was done by chi-square test.
Of the 120 patients 40% (n= 48) were primipara, 60% (n= 72) were multipara. 36 patients were in the age group of 18–30 yrs. The commonest symptom was backache followed by generalized bone pains. Of the 120 patients 48.3% (n=58) patients were osteoporotic, 26.6% (n= 32) were osteopenic & 25% (n=30) were normal.
A BMD measurement by QUS of os calcis is a rapid, inexpensive method. In our study 90 patients had subnormal T scores. Bone health of pregnant women should be a matter of concern during all antenatal checkups & if possible BMD measurements should be done to identify the "bone deficient" pregnant females who can be subjected to bone strengthening treatment.
Quantitative Ultrasonography, Pregnant, Bone Health
