<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thank you for the links and comments. Several dieticians responded – very much appreciate your education. Overall there seems to be very little research specific to celiac disease and bone mass in children. Since children are in the process of accumulating bone, it is difficult to assess what is normal development, what is a slowed process of bone growth and what is actual bone loss. My Ped GI has recommended 500mg of calcium twice a day and another bone scan in 6 months. I choose to give him Freeda’s powdered calcium citrate since he is not able to swallow pills yet. My dad is an orthopedic surgeon and has offered to read the scan as well. He added that children’s bones are very flexible and therefore are not as easily broken as adults (my concern was my son is getting involved in sports). Summary of comments: Helpful links: http://coeliac.info/suppboard/viewtopic.php?t=253 http://coeliac.info/suppboard/viewtopic.php?t=196 http://coeliac.info/suppboard/viewtopic.php?t=398 Calcium Sources: Green leafy vegetables Dairy OJ with added calcium Powdered milk in soup, hot cereal , etc. Almonds, almond flour, almond butter Seasame butter (tahini) Supplements Calcium citrate is reported as easier for the body to absorb than calcium carbonate. Response from Tums: “While we do not use gluten as a filler in Tums, certain vendor-supplied ingredients may contain trace amounts of gluten. Therefore, we cannot say with 100% certainty that Tums is gluten free. Sincerely, Debbie Product Information Specialist GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare” Alternative products: · Viactiv (calcium carbonate) · Freeda’s calcium supplements (label says gf) · Nutrition Now chewable · Flinstone vitamins with extra calcium (carbonate) · Yummi Bears calcium (800-500-Hero) · Citrical (citrate. Very large pill to swallow) Calcium needs vitamin D for maximum absorption. Most people get enough vitamin D from sunlight. Weight bearing exercise is also important for bone strength. Dr/Dietician Advice “My child sees a doctor at a children's hospital who did much research in the field of bone density testing in children. She told me not to pay attention to the results at all! She said they are extemely inaccurate in children, and she made me promise never to give her bone-building medication. She said it could actually be dangerous.” “I have a 6 year old little girl with Celiac, also. Our Dr. said virtually the same thing - not a lot of research is out there on bone density for children so the readings don't mean too much at this point. The Dr., an endocrinologist, did do a bone age test. That is when the child's hand is x-rayed and they can tell present and future development based on the bones in the hand and it is supposed to be fairly accurate. My husband and I are in the 90% of height, but our daughter, based on this x-ray, will be at 40% when she is full-grown. I would recommend a pediatric endocrinologist. Ours sees her every 4-6 mos. and is constantly monitoring her growth as it relates to bones, metabolism, hormones, thyroid gland - all the bells and whistles we worry that we are missing out on when are children are afflicted so young.” “I manage the radiology office where my son and husband had the bone density, I'm not sure where the Radiologist found the articles (on bone density in children). Both my husband and son have celiac. We see an Endocrinologist out of Columbia Presbyterian in NYC and I know there is someone who specializes in bone density studies in children at St. Luke's in NYC. We didn't feel the need to contact them since Brendan's bone density increased so much with the diet change and viactiv.” Children b/t ages 9-18 need about 4 servings of calcium-rich food/day. Children under this need about 3. Below are examples of 1 serving size of Foods rich in calcium: 1 Cup of milk (all kinds have same calcium content), 1 cup of yogurt (nonfat or low fat or regular), 1 1/2 oz of natural cheese or 2 oz of processed cheese, 1 cup cottage cheese, pudding, 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw green leafy vegetables like broccoli,collards,spinach, calcium fortified juices have about 300-400 mg in 1 cup -canned salmon or sardines w/bone, soybean curd prepared w/calcium. Tips: add 1-2 teaspoons of fat free milk powder to milk,yogurt,puddings, or cream soups to boost calcium, add shredded cheese to casseroles, or any foods that your child will eat cheese with! Research notes: (www.cdrc.org.uk) · Some indication even celiacs on a gf diet may have persistant calcium malabsorption · Osteomalacia (poorly mineralized bone) is a separate condition from Osteoporois (bone loss). Can be inidicated from low calcium and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. Can anyone speak more specifically to this condition? Lindsay Original Post: My six year old just had a bone density screening. Results were 5 deviations from the mean. My Ped GI has told me that "norms" for young children have not yet been well researched, however the 5 deviations are very low. She has encouraged me to up his calcium intake, have him take 1- 2 tums per day and then recheck in one year. Very much appreciate hearing from other parents that have experienced same, tips on what foods are high in calcium, and any research or other information you may have come across. *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List*