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Pregnancy-Associated Osteoporosis: A Literature Review

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Abstract

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare pathology affecting women in pregnancy or the postpartum period. During normal pregnancy and lactation, there are substantial physiological changes in the woman’s skeletal structure as well as calcium homeostasis to meet demands of the developing fetus. While these adaptations and generally of no clinical consequence for the mother, and subsequently resolve postpartum, a small number of women will develop osteoporosis and suffer from non-traumatic fragility fractures. Due to the rarity of PAO, systematic study to date has been limited. Etiology is poorly understood, but endocrine effects, nutrient deficiency, genetic predisposition, biomechanical factors, and medication exposures are likely to play a role. Management of PAO is not well understood, due both to a poor evidence base and the rarity of the condition. However, traditional osteoporosis drugs such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, and teriparatide have all been reported in literature. Early diagnosis and treatment of these patients are especially important in the prevention of reoccurrence fractures and to improve the quality of life for these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, 26520 Cactus Ave., Moreno Valley, CA, USA

    Vitaley Kovalev

  2. Department of Translational Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA

    William H. Fang

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, Moreno Valley, CA, USA

    Theresa Pak & Michael French

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  1. Vitaley Kovalev
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Kovalev, V., Fang, W.H., Pak, T. et al. Pregnancy-Associated Osteoporosis: A Literature Review. Clinic Rev Bone Miner Metab 21, 14–20 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12018-023-09287-8

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