Bone mineral status in childhood accidental fractures.

We studied the bone mineral and calcium (Ca) status of 17 children who suffered an accidental fracture in 1980. These children were matched by age and sex to a nonfractured control group. Blood was drawn for serum Ca, phosphorus, magnesium, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol ( calcidiol ), alkaline phosphatase, and albumin. Bone mineral content (BMC) was evaluated by photon absorptiometry. There were no differences in serum values between the two groups. Twelve (71%) of the 17 children in the fracture group had a lower BMC than their matched controls. The BMC of the fracture group was lower than their controls, 0.423 +/- 0.042 v 0.461 +/- 0.037 g/cm. Four of the 15 in the fracture group ingested less than 60% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Ca and P (800 mg/day), while all the controls were ingesting at least 60% of the RDA. Four children of the fracture group who were ingesting less Ca and P than those of the control group also had low BMC.