FEATURES OF BONE METABOLISM DURING LACTATION

Abstract

The mineralization of the skeleton of a child during the period of exclusive breastfeeding occurs only at the expense of the mother's body. The main mechanism for providing the necessary calcium content in breast milk is the temporary demineralization of the mother's skeleton. The concentration of calcium in milk reaches a maximum during the first 3 months after birth and then decreases, however, in the next 3–4 months, the volume of lactation increases as much as possible, and therefore excretion calcium remains approximately at the same level until the introduction of complementary foods. Bone mineral density in the first 6 months of lactation decreases by 1–3% per month, reaching 3–10% in six months. The rate of calcium release from the bone tissue of a nursing woman depends solely on the intensity of lactation, other factors, in particular, the content of calcium, vitamin D and other elements in the diet, have practically no effect on it. In a classic study by Donelson et al. it was possible to find out that a negative calcium balance is formed in the body of a nursing woman, which cannot be prevented by additional intake of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.