Bone mineral content and dietary calcium intake in children prescribed a low-lactose diet

Bone density is related to body size and other factors including dietary calcium intake. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a low-lactose, low-calcium diet on the bone mineral content (BMC) of prepubertal children with documented lactose intolerance. Radial BMC was determined by single-photon absorptiometry. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h recall and two 3-day food records, and weight and height were measured. The group of lactose-intolerant children was compared with a group of healthy children of similar age, gender, race, and size and to the prediction equations based on body size from Chan's Utah children. Nineteen children, ages 9.6 +/- 1.9 years, participated in the study. They were relatively short compared with standards (height Z score, -0.30 +/- 0.83). BMC was 0.428 +/- 0.081 g/cm in the study group versus 0.440 +/- 0.116 g/cm in the comparison group (n = 19; p 0.05). Both the study group and the size-selected comparison group had lower BMC than the Utah children. The diet of the study group was low in calcium: 84% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance in children 11 years old and 32% in children 11. Calcium intake was associated (p