Effects of calcium supplementation on bone density in healthy children: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving bone mineral density in healthy children and to determine if any effect is modified by other factors and persists after supplementation stops.

Design

Meta-analysis.

Data sources

Electronic bibliographic databases, hand searching of conference proceedings, and contacting authors for unpublished data.

Review methods

We included randomised placebo controlled trials of calcium supplementation in healthy children that lasted at least three months and had bone outcomes measured after at least six months of follow-up. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality. Meta-analyses predominantly used fixed effects models with outcomes given as standardised mean differences.

SUBMITTER: Winzenberg T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1602024 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature