Abstract
Pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) is a rare but clinically highly relevant condition, characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and acute onset of severe pain due to symptomatic bone marrow edema of the hip or vertebral and/or insufficiency fractures, among others. Previous reports showed a high frequency of hereditary bone disorders unmasked by PLO, predisposing for more severe forms. To date, no data on the risk for additional fractures during subsequent pregnancy in women with PLO and genetic bone disorder have been available. To address this question, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, biochemical, and densitometric course of three women with a history of PLO and detected variants in WNT1 or LRP5 and subsequent pregnancies. Calcium homeostasis and bone turnover were optimized by basic treatment, and timely initiation of weaning was recommended. Teriparatide treatment for 12 months under strict contraception was initiated in one woman after the diagnosis of PLO. In none of the women did additional fractures or symptomatic bone marrow edemas occur, and BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry as bone microarchitecture by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography remained stable. In conclusion, this report expands the understanding of this rare but severe condition and helps to improve clinical counseling and management. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.