There was no effect of calcium supplementation  on femoral neck or lumbar spine BMD .
There was no evidence of effect modification by baseline calcium intake , sex , ethnicity , physical activity or pubertal stage .
While there is a small effect of calcium supplementation in the upper limb , the increase in BMD which results is unlikely to result in a clinical ly significant decrease in fracture risk .
The results do not support the use of calcium supplementation  in healthy children as a public health intervention .
These results can not be extrapolated to children with medical conditions affecting bone metabolism
BACKGROUND Clinical trials have shown that  calcium supplementation in children can increase  bone mineral density ( BMD ) although this effect may not be maintained .
There has been no quantitative systematic review of this intervention .
To determine the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving BMD  in children .
.
To determine if any effect varies by sex , pubertal stage , ethnicity or level of physical activity , and if any effect persists after supplementation is ceased .
[Calcium supplementation and bone absorptiometry in girls].
BACKGROUND The achievement of a peak bone mass is an important factor in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures . In normal children , the amount of calcium intake could affect bone mineral increment . AIM To assess the effect of a daily 500 mg calcium supplement on bone mineral density , in a group of healthy Chilean girls . PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty healthy girls were studied and 25 were r and omly assigned to receive a 500 mg calcium supplement during 10 months . Bone mineral density of the distal and ultradistal region of the forearm was measured in all girls by single X ray absorptiometry ( Osteometer DTX-100 ) at the beginning and end of the study . Bone mineral density was expressed as Z values . RESULTS Significant increments in bone mineral density at the distal radioulnar region were obtained in the supplemented girls . No significant changes in bone density were observed in control girls . CONCLUSIONS A daily 500 mg calcium supplement for 10 months increased bone mineral density in healthy girls
There was no effect of calcium supplementation  on femoral neck or lumbar spine BMD .
There was no evidence of effect modification by baseline calcium intake , sex , ethnicity , physical activity or pubertal stage .
While there is a small effect of calcium supplementation in the upper limb , the increase in BMD which results is unlikely to result in a clinical ly significant decrease in fracture risk .
The results do not support the use of calcium supplementation  in healthy children as a public health intervention .
These results can not be extrapolated to children with medical conditions affecting bone metabolism
BACKGROUND Clinical trials have shown that  calcium supplementation in children can increase  bone mineral density ( BMD ) although this effect may not be maintained .
There has been no quantitative systematic review of this intervention .
To determine the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving BMD  in children .
.
To determine if any effect varies by sex , pubertal stage , ethnicity or level of physical activity , and if any effect persists after supplementation is ceased .