Impact of Breastfeeding on Lactating Women Bone Health: A Survey based Study in Northern Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Bone fitness is considered as an important public health problem especially in post-menopausal women. Numerous studies have investigated to understand beneficiary effects of mother milk on the baby but very few studies have been conducted to understand the effect of breastfeeding on the bone health of lactating women. We hypothesized that high calcium demand during pregnancy and lactation and low estrogenic state support may affect on the bone health immediately after child birth and later in the life. Based upon this theory we have conducted a survey based study in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia to assess the health status of the lactating mothers. Total 376 lactating mothers were interviewed during the period of 16 Nov 2016 to 23 March 2017. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was provided at their homes to collect information. The result revealed that among 376 participants, 7% complaining about generalized pain, 41% suffering from joint pain, 24%, suffering from lower back pain and 1% of mothers suffered from fracture. This survey highlights important but ignored aspect of the bone health of lactating women in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia. During pregnancy, women consume calcium supplements to satisfy their requirement of developing baby but after child birth, they stop calcium supplement though it's needed. Based upon this study we state that there is a need to prepare and follow guidelines for the use of calcium supplement for the lactating women to maintain bone health.