QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Daniels, A. L. Articles by Forman, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Daniels, A. L. Articles by Forman, M.

Calcium and Phosphorus Needs of Preschool Children

Four Figures

Iowa Child Welfare Research Station, State University of Iowa, Iowa City

Calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen balance studies with children of preschool age receiving diets composed of the same varieties of food but differing in amounts and therefore in the quantities of the inorganic substances contained therein have been considered from the standpoint of both height and weight. The vitamin D in all cases was controlled, and in so far as is known, adequate, thus ruling out any variation which might accrue from too little.

Wide variations in both calcium and phosphorus retentions were obtained at similar ingestion levels. High retentions were interpreted as being due to previous depletion.

The retention ratios of the nitrogen to phosphorus after the phosphorus needs for bone growth had been satisfied
grouped according to the phosphorus retentions were found to increase as the phosphorus retentions decreased and were roughly proportional to the nutritional status of the child as indicated by the variation from the theoretical weight for height of the group considered. Within the limits of the study, the retentions were uninfluenced by the ingestions. The majority of the calcium retentions were found to be between 6 and 10 mg. per kilogram, irrespective of the ingestions.

The results of the study indicate that the calcium needs of normal children of preschool age can be met by foods containing between 45 and 50 mg. of calcium per kilogram, or between 7 and 9 mg. per centimeter, provided sufficient vitamin D is allowed. Phosphorus needs, on the other hand, can be met by food containing between 60 and 70 mg. per kilogram, or between 9 and 11 mg. per centimeter.

Manuscript received 12 June 1935.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. L. DANIELS, M. K. HUTTON, and B. NEIL RELATION OF THE CREATININE-HEIGHT COEFFICIENT TO VARIOUS INDEXES OF NUTRITION Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, March 1, 1938; 55(3): 532 - 543. [Abstract] [PDF]