Silicon Excretion During Lactation and Bone Health
Author Information
Author(s): Catarina Magnusson, Hanna Augustin, Ravin Jugdaohsingh, Jonathan J. Powell, Lena Hulthén, Maria Ransjö
Primary Institution: University of Gothenburg
Hypothesis
Does urinary silicon excretion change during lactation and relate to bone mineral density?
Conclusion
Women lactating for 4 months or longer have higher urinary silicon concentrations post-partum, but these changes are not linked to changes in bone mineral density.
Supporting Evidence
- Women lactating for 4–8.9 months had significantly higher urinary silicon at 4 months post-partum compared to the third trimester.
- No significant longitudinal differences in urinary silicon were found after correcting for creatinine.
- Changes in urinary silicon and bone mineral density were not correlated, except at the lumbar spine for a specific lactation duration.
Takeaway
This study looked at how much silicon new mothers pee out and if it affects their bones. It found that moms who breastfeed longer might pee out more silicon, but it doesn't seem to help their bones get stronger.
Methodology
The study collected urine samples from pregnant women at various post-partum intervals and measured urinary silicon and calcium levels, along with bone mineral density.
Potential Biases
Potential biases related to self-reported health status and dietary intake were not controlled for.
Limitations
The study used spot urine samples instead of 24-hour collections, which may affect the accuracy of the results.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 81 pregnant women aged 25-40, recruited from maternal healthcare centers in South Western Sweden.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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