Vitamin D supplementation had no statistically significant effects on total body bone mineral content ( BMC ) , hip bone mineral density ( BMD ) or forearm BMD .
These results do not support vitamin D supplementation to improve bone density in healthy children with normal vitamin D levels , but suggest that supplementation of deficient children may be clinical ly useful .
BACKGROUND Results of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) of vitamin D supplementation to improve  bone density in children are inconsistent .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for improving  bone mineral density in children , whether any effect varies by sex , age or pubertal stage , the type or dose of vitamin D given or baseline vitamin D status , and if effects persist after cessation of supplementation .
The hospital cost of vertebral fractures in the EU: estimates using national datasets
The purpose of this study was to estimate the  hospital cost of vertebral fractures in the EU using national data sets to explore some of the method ologic limitations associated with such an approach . Hospital costs for vertebral fractures across the EU were compared with the hospital costs associated with hip fractures . Additionally , these costs were placed into the health care context by making comparisons with national health care expenditure . All EU Ministries of Health were contacted to identify national data sets to estimate the average length of stay , cost per diem and the number of patients discharged with vertebral fractures .  Where national information was not available expert opinion and data from the relevant literature were used instead . Countries show a marked difference in the length of stay between men and women , with differences ranging from 0.32 days in Austria to 20.2 days in Spain . The average hospitalization rate was found to be 8 % across the EU , with higher rates found for men than for women . Interestingly a positive correlation between health expenditure per capita and hospitalization rates was found . The total cost of vertebral fractures in the EU was estimated at € 377 million per year . Across the EU the hospital cost of a vertebral fracture was on average 63 % that of a hip fracture . National data sets allow us to estimate the cost of vertebral fractures in the EU but show limitations . In the absence of largescale prospect i ve studies , national data sets need to be further refined to ensure more accurate estimations of the cost of vertebral fractures in the EU
Vitamin D supplementation had no statistically significant effects on total body bone mineral content ( BMC ) , hip bone mineral density ( BMD ) or forearm BMD .
These results do not support vitamin D supplementation to improve bone density in healthy children with normal vitamin D levels , but suggest that supplementation of deficient children may be clinical ly useful .
BACKGROUND Results of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) of vitamin D supplementation to improve  bone density in children are inconsistent .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for improving  bone mineral density in children , whether any effect varies by sex , age or pubertal stage , the type or dose of vitamin D given or baseline vitamin D status , and if effects persist after cessation of supplementation .