This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cameron, M. A. Articles by Wark, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cameron, M. A. Articles by Wark, J. D.

The Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Bone Density in Premenarcheal Females: A Co-Twin Approach

Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital (M.A.C., L.M.P., M.F., J.D.W.), Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; and School of Health Sciences, Deakin University (C.A.N., C.M.), Burwood 3125, Victoria, Australia

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. John D. Wark, Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia. E-mail: jdwark{at}unimelb.edu.au.

The age and developmental stage at which calcium supplementation produces the greatest bone effects remain controversial. We tested the hypothesis that calcium supplementation may improve bone accrual in premenarcheal females. Fifty-one pairs of premenarcheal female twins (27 monozygotic and 24 dizygotic; mean ± SD age, 10.3 ± 1.5 yr) participated in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial with one twin of each pair receiving a 1200-mg calcium carbonate (Caltrate) supplement. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was measured at baseline and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. There were no within-pair differences in height, weight, or calcium intake at baseline. Calcium supplementation was associated (P < 0.05) with increased aBMD compared with placebo, adjusted for age, height, and weight at the following time points from baseline: total hip, 6 months (1.9%), 12 months (1.6%), and 18 months (2.4%); lumbar spine, 12 months (1.0%); femoral neck, 6 months (1.9%). Adjusted total body bone mineral content was higher in the calcium group at 6 months (2.0%), 12 months (2.5%), 18 months (4.6%), and 24 months (3.7%), respectively (all P < 0.001). Calcium supplementation was effective in increasing aBMD at regional sites over the first 12–18 months, but these gains were not maintained to 24 months.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Lehtimaki, J. Hemminki, R. Rontu, V. Mikkila, L. Rasanen, M. Laaksonen, N. Hutri-Kahonen, M. Kahonen, J. Viikari, and O. Raitakari The Effects of Adult-Type Hypolactasia on Body Height Growth and Dietary Calcium Intake From Childhood Into Young Adulthood: A 21-Year Follow-up Study--The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study Pediatrics, October 1, 2006; 118(4): 1553 - 1559. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Zhu, Q. Zhang, L. H. Foo, A. Trube, G. Ma, X. Hu, X. Du, C. T Cowell, D. R Fraser, and H. Greenfield Growth, bone mass, and vitamin D status of Chinese adolescent girls 3 y after withdrawal of milk supplementation Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2006; 83(3): 714 - 721. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-P. Bonjour Is Peripuberty the Most Opportune Time to Increase Calcium Intake in Healthy Girls? IBMS BoneKEy, March 1, 2005; 2(3): 6 - 11. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Seeman and G. J. Strewler Clinical and Basic Research Papers - September and October 2004 Selections IBMS BoneKEy, November 1, 2004; 1(11): 1 - 5. [Full Text] [PDF]