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 .
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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 provides an extended window of opportunity for bone mass accretion after menarche.
BACKGROUND High calcium intakes during adolescence may increase bone acquisition . The magnitude of the effect of dietary calcium supplementation and the timing of its administration to achieve significant effects on bone health are still incompletely defined . OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mass accretion in postmenarcheal adolescent girls with low calcium intakes . DESIGN A double-blind , placebo-controlled calcium supplementation study was implemented . One hundred girls with a mean ( + /- SD ) age of 14 + /- 0.5 y with habitual calcium intakes < 800 mg/d completed a 12-mo protocol . The treatment group received a daily supplement containing 1000 mg elemental calcium .  Bone mineral density ( BMD ) and bone mineral content ( BMC ) of the total body , lumbar spine , and femoral neck were determined at inclusion , 6 mo , and 12 mo . Also measured were serum concentrations of biochemical markers of bone turnover ( osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline ) , parathyroid hormone , and vitamin D. RESULTS The calcium-supplemented group had greater accretion of total-body BMD and lumbar spine BMD but not BMC than did the control group . Calcium supplementation appeared selectively beneficial for girls who were 2 y postmenarcheal . Calcium supplementation significantly decreased bone turnover and decreased serum parathyroid hormone concentrations . CONCLUSION Calcium supplementation of postmenarcheal girls with low calcium intakes enhances bone mineral acquisition , especially in girls > 2 y past the onset of menarche
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 .