Changes of bone density and serum osteocalcin levels in mid and late pregnancy

Single photon bone densitometer has been used to determine the bone mineral contents in 1521 cases of mid and late pregnant women. The results showed that the contents are significantly lower than the normal group (P<0.001). Varying degrees of bone mineral loss took place in 488 cases (32.1%) of pregnant women. Serum osteocalcin (BGP) levels in 40 cases of normal nonpregnant women and 41 cases of the bone mineral loss group of pregnant women have been measured simultaneously. The results showed that the contents of the bone mineral loss group of pregnant women are obviously lower than the normal group (P<0.001). This fact implies that the determinations of single photon bone densitometer and serum BGP RIA can be used as the indices for assessing the bone mineral loss in pregnant women