Live
- Bihar suspends 15 engineers over bridge collapse incidents
- NEET-PG entrance test on August 11
- Centre, NTA oppose NEET pleas for cancellation
- Record 26 Indian-origin MPs elected
- Modi congratulates Starmer, praises Sunak’s leadership
- Keir Starmer becomes UK PM
- All set for Jagannath Rath Yatra in city tomorrow
- Take steps to curb red sanders smuggling says Dy CM Pawan Kalyan
- Vijayawada: IT Minister Lokesh promises investor-friendly IT policy soon
- Grand welcome to Naidu in Hyd
Just In
Calcium, vitamin D deficiency may affect bone health of pregnant women
Proper intake of calcium and vitamin D in pregnancy may be key for good bone health in women during and after birth, said experts on Saturday.
New Delhi: Proper intake of calcium and vitamin D in pregnancy may be key for good bone health in women during and after birth, said experts on Saturday.
A woman's bone health can change before and after pregnancy. While a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes numerous changes to support the growth of the foetus, and this affects bone health.
"Oestrogen that helps maintain bone density reduces significantly during pregnancy, leading to increased bone resorption. This involves breaking down old bones in the body to release calcium needed by a growing baby. Vitamin D deficiency and anaemia further add to bone loss. They must be taken care of pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy too," Sandhya Rani, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Bengaluru, told IANS.
Some women with inadequate levels of calcium, and vitamin D are likely to suffer from pregnancy-associated osteoporosis.
Although rare, these women typically experience bone fractures during birth or eight to 12 weeks following delivery.
"Calcium is important in pregnancy. The pregnancy is a highly metabolic state because of the hormonal imbalance of progesterone and everything. The calcium requirement for the mother and the baby is more," Vinay Kumar Gautam, Consultant - Orthopaedics, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, told IANS.
"But to avoid any kind of osteoporosis, we have to see the calcium intake. If calcium is minimal we add vitamin D3," the doctor added.
Sandhya explained that oestrogen level decreases even more after giving birth. The most affected part of the skeletal system is found on the spine, hips, and wrists therefore more intensive loss of bone mass occurs here.
Within this period, there is typically a rapid decline in bone density that persists for about six months following childbirth (particularly among those who breastfeed).
"Most of the women regain normal bone density by 12 months post-delivery. Calcium requirement goes up because of breastfeeding which may also accelerate skeletal resorption. To conclude, a balanced diet, exercise, and supplements are the key," she said.
© 2024 Hyderabad Media House Limited/The Hans India. All rights reserved. Powered by hocalwire.com