title: Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) with multiple vertebral fragility fractures: diagnosis and treatment in a young primigravid woman.
abstract: PAO is an uncommon condition affecting pregnant women during last trimester or early post-delivery period; it is often asymptomatic or presents with pain related to some acute fragility fractures. The diagnosis is often delayed or missed, the etiology remains unknown and no guidelines about treatment have been published. We present one case of PAO in a 33-year-old primigravid woman presenting acute worsening back pain. Our patient was treated with a TLSO brace, oral 25 (OH)-vitamin D supplementation and Teriparatide for 6 months. A short review of the literature has been included and useful advice about how to suspect and diagnose this uncommon disease were given in order to recognize and treat such a debilitating and severe condition for young mothers as best as possible, based on the available scientific evidences.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pola
authors.affiliation: Spinal Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Colangelo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Spine Studies and Surgery, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nasto
authors.affiliation: Spinal Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pambianco
authors.affiliation: Spinal Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Autore
authors.affiliation: Spinal Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Formica
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maccauro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D019379:Teriparatide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019379:Teriparatide; D014807:Vitamin D