title: Double-blind, controlled calcium supplementation and bone mineral accretion in children accustomed to a low-calcium diet.
abstract: A randomized, double-blind, controlled calcium supplementation trial was conducted for 18 mo to determine its effects on bone acquisition and height increment in 162 7-y-old Chinese children (87 boys and 75 girls) with habitually low calcium intakes (280 mg/d). Distal one-third radial bone mineral content (BMC), area bone density (BMC/bone width), and height were evaluated every 6 mo. Baseline dietary intakes, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, and physical activity were determined. The study group received 300 mg Ca/d as calcium carbonate; control subjects received placebo tablets. After 18 mo the study group had significantly greater gains in BMC (16.5% vs 13.97%; P = 0.02) and BMC/bone width (9.45% vs 6.31%; P = 0.0008) than the control subjects. The findings confirm a positive effect of calcium intake on bone acquisition but no effect on height increment. Whether a higher bone mass attained at age 8-9 y would be maintained and beneficial to future peak bone mass requires longitudinal investigation. Further study is warranted to determine calcium requirements for Chinese children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Oppenheimer
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary