Abstract

Introduction: Transient Osteoporosis of Pregnancy is a rare potential complication of pregnancy which unexpectedly affects young, healthy women with a previously uneventful pregnancy. The diagnosis is usually one of exclusion with its true incidence being unknown because of its self-limiting nature in most cases. Case: A 32-year-old primigravida began having lower back pain at 30 weeks gestation and underwent a caesarean section at 38 weeks gestation. Post-delivery her symptoms deteriorated, and she had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her spine. The findings of the MRI confirmed osteoporosis induced vertebral compression fractures during the post-partum period. Intravenous ibandronic acid was used for treatment for a period of three (3) years with annual Dual Emission X- ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to evaluate progression. The patient’s symptoms resolved by six (6) months post diagnosis highlighting the transient nature of this condition. The serial DEXA scans however revealed a less than transient resolution of her bone mineral density over the three-year period. Conclusion: The length of time required for treatment is still controversial since the time taken for bone mineral density levels to return to normal limits is highly variable as was demonstrated by the case presented. However, the treatment protocol adopted for this patient has proven to be a safe and effective regime which can be implemented as a viable treatment option by clinicians.