Optimal Dose of Calcium for Treatment of Nutritional Rickets: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Thacher TD, Smith L, Fischer PR, Isichei CO, Cha SS, Pettifor JM
Published in J Bone Miner Res, Vol. 31 (11), pp. 2024-2031
Methodology
Randomised trial in 65 Nigerian children with radiographically confirmed rickets, assigned to 500 mg, 1,000 mg or 2,000 mg of supplemental calcium a day for 24 weeks. Primary outcome: rate of healing on a 10-point radiographic severity score.
Key Findings
Healing was faster with 1,000 mg (-0.29 points a month) and 2,000 mg (-0.36) than with 500 mg; 2,000 mg was no faster than 1,000 mg. A score of 1.5 or less was reached by 87% (1,000 mg), 67% (2,000 mg) and 67% (500 mg) of completers (p = 0.21). Forearm bone density rose fastest with 2,000 mg.
Conclusions
About 1,000 mg of calcium a day heals calcium-deficiency rickets faster than 500 mg, with no added healing from 2,000 mg; some children need longer than 24 weeks.
Limitations
Small arms (21-23 children); no placebo arm; single research group; Nigerian children with very low dietary calcium, so results may not transfer to vitamin D-deficiency rickets.
Supplements Studied
2000 mg did not have greater benefit than 1000 mg
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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