Bone mass is recovered from lactation to postweaning in adolescent mothers with low calcium intakes.

Background: Adolescent mothers may be at increased risk of irreversible bone loss during pregnancy and lactation, particularly when calcium intake is low.

Objective: Longitudinal changes in bone mass from lactation to postweaning were evaluated in 10 adolescent mothers aged 15-18 y who habitually consumed <500 mg Ca/d.

Design: Total-body bone mineral content (TBBMC), total-body bone mineral density (TBBMD), and lumbar spine bone mineral density (LSBMD) were measured at lactation (6-24 wk postpartum) and after weaning (12-30 mo postpartum).