Prolonged breast-feeding is an independent risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of parity and age at first pregnancy and breast-feeding, as well as duration of BF for total and per child on postmenopausal osteoporosis.


METHODS
The study was conducted among 542 cases who were divided based on the presence or absence of osteoporosis. Patients were separated according to their first pregnancy and breast-feeding age as before or after 27 years. Osteoporosis was defined as a T score of -2.5 or lower.


METHODS
Parity, age at first pregnancy and breast-feeding, breast-feeding period for total and average duration per child according to a questionnaire were assessed.


RESULTS
Osteoporosis group had significantly lower parity compared to non-osteoporosis group. The age at first pregnancy and breast-feeding<27 age were significantly more frequent in osteoporosis group. They also had prolonged breast-feeding period. Women who had a breast-feeding period per child>1 year under age 27 was higher in osteoporosis group. In multivariate analysis, women who breast-fed>1 year per child had the highest risk for osteoporosis (odds ratio: 12.92; 95% confidence interval, 3.1-52.6) and osteoporosis risk for women who breast-fed>1 year per child under age 27 was 7.1. Increased parity was associated with a significant protective effect for osteoporosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Extended breast-feeding period per child>1 year is the highest risk factor for osteoporosis independent of first breast-feeding age. However, high parity has a protective effect.
Aegean Maternity and Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: dremreokyay@gmail.com.
Duygu Ozkale
DO
Okyay
Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey.
Emre
E
Okyay
Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey.
Erbil
E
Dogan
Aegean Maternity and Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Izmir, Turkey.
Secil
S
Kurtulmus
Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey.
Ferruh
F
Acet
Aegean Maternity and Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Izmir, Turkey.
Cuneyt Eftal
CE
Taner
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008423:Maternal Age; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000209:etiology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
Breast-feeding; Menopause; Osteoporosis; Pregnancy