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Calcium supplementation has little effect on bone mineral density in children and is unlikely to prevent fractures in childhood or adulthood, reported Tania Wizenberg and her fellow investigators.
The metaanalysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (BMJ 2006 [Epub doi:10.1136/bmj. 38950.561400.55]), which included 2,859 children, found that children who take calcium supplementation did not have significantly greater bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck or at the lumbar spine at the end of trials or after supplementation. The studies had a treatment period of at least 3 months, and bone outcomes were measured after at least 6 months of follow-up, according to Ms. Wizenberg and of the Menzies Research Institue, Hobart, Australia, and her fellow researchers.
At the upper limb, the metaanalysis showed a difference of 6.38 mg/cm
A single study that evaluated total bone density showed no persistent effect, they reported.
“This small increase in upper limb bone mineral density is unlikely to result in a clinically important decrease in the risk of fracture,” they wrote. “Importantly, we found no effects at other sites where fracture is common.” Based on studies showing lower BMD among children who suffer upper limb fractures, the authors forecasted a 0.2% decrease a year in absolute risk of fractures among boys, and 0.1% in girls. “The public health impact of this is likely to be small,” they said.
Calcium supplementation has little effect on bone mineral density in children and is unlikely to prevent fractures in childhood or adulthood, reported Tania Wizenberg and her fellow investigators.
The metaanalysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (BMJ 2006 [Epub doi:10.1136/bmj. 38950.561400.55]), which included 2,859 children, found that children who take calcium supplementation did not have significantly greater bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck or at the lumbar spine at the end of trials or after supplementation. The studies had a treatment period of at least 3 months, and bone outcomes were measured after at least 6 months of follow-up, according to Ms. Wizenberg and of the Menzies Research Institue, Hobart, Australia, and her fellow researchers.
At the upper limb, the metaanalysis showed a difference of 6.38 mg/cm
A single study that evaluated total bone density showed no persistent effect, they reported.
“This small increase in upper limb bone mineral density is unlikely to result in a clinically important decrease in the risk of fracture,” they wrote. “Importantly, we found no effects at other sites where fracture is common.” Based on studies showing lower BMD among children who suffer upper limb fractures, the authors forecasted a 0.2% decrease a year in absolute risk of fractures among boys, and 0.1% in girls. “The public health impact of this is likely to be small,” they said.
Calcium supplementation has little effect on bone mineral density in children and is unlikely to prevent fractures in childhood or adulthood, reported Tania Wizenberg and her fellow investigators.
The metaanalysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (BMJ 2006 [Epub doi:10.1136/bmj. 38950.561400.55]), which included 2,859 children, found that children who take calcium supplementation did not have significantly greater bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck or at the lumbar spine at the end of trials or after supplementation. The studies had a treatment period of at least 3 months, and bone outcomes were measured after at least 6 months of follow-up, according to Ms. Wizenberg and of the Menzies Research Institue, Hobart, Australia, and her fellow researchers.
At the upper limb, the metaanalysis showed a difference of 6.38 mg/cm
A single study that evaluated total bone density showed no persistent effect, they reported.
“This small increase in upper limb bone mineral density is unlikely to result in a clinically important decrease in the risk of fracture,” they wrote. “Importantly, we found no effects at other sites where fracture is common.” Based on studies showing lower BMD among children who suffer upper limb fractures, the authors forecasted a 0.2% decrease a year in absolute risk of fractures among boys, and 0.1% in girls. “The public health impact of this is likely to be small,” they said.