Do combined elimination diet and prolonged breastfeeding of an atopic infant jeopardise maternal bone health?

Background Prolonged breastfeeding, and intervention in the maternal diet d uring breastfeeding, have been suggested as a means to treat atopic symptom s of infants. The impact of these actions on the mother's skeletal health h as remained unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine factors that are assoc iated with bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid fatty acid profile in mothers of atopic infants. Methods BMD at the lumbar spine, right femoral neck and dominant distal rad ius of 24 mothers of atopic infants (study group) and 25 mothers of healthy infants (control group) were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometr y postpartum after the resumption of menses. Ln addition, the fatty acid pr ofile of their serum cholesteryl esters was determined. Results A systematic trend for 4-6% lower BMD was observed in the study gro up, but this difference was mainly attributable to a difference in body wei ght between the groups. In addition, the omega (omega)-3 fatty acid metabol ite EPA showed a positive association with femoral neck BMD. Mothers of ato pic infants had a significantly lower proportion of omega -6 fatty acid par ent LA and a higher proportion of omega -6 fatty acid metabolite GLA than t he control mothers. These differences were associated not only with dietary factors but also with the duration of postpartum amenorrhea and total lact ation. Conclusion Neither the breastfeeding nor the mother's short-term eliminatio n diet per se seemed to be associated with low BMD in the mothers of atopic infants. Thus, if an elimination diet benefits the infant, it can be recom mended for a limited period. However, it may be advisable to give special d ietary counselling, especially to low body weight mothers, in order to ensu re adequate nutrient intake and to minimize the possible risk of potential bone loss.