Rickets
Rickets is a bone disorder primarily affecting children, characterized by the softening and weakening of bones due to deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. The condition can lead to a variety of symptoms, including pain in the long bones and pelvis, skeletal deformities such as bowed legs, and other issues like spinal deformities and dental problems. The root causes of rickets often include insufficient dietary intake or absorption of essential nutrients, as well as hereditary factors that may impair the body’s ability to retain phosphate.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may manifest as muscle cramps, general weakness, and impaired growth. If untreated, rickets can result in permanent skeletal deformities and hindered growth. Treatment typically involves dietary supplementation of calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D, alongside moderate sunlight exposure. In some cases, physical supports like braces or surgical interventions may be necessary to correct deformities. Understanding rickets is crucial for early detection and effective management to prevent long-term consequences in affected children.
Rickets
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Bones, musculoskeletal system, teeth
DEFINITION: A disorder involving the softening and weakening of a child’s bones, primarily caused by lack of vitamin D and/or lack of calcium or phosphate
CAUSES: Vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate deficiency; hereditary factors
SYMPTOMS: Pain or tenderness in long bones and pelvis, skeletal deformities (bowlegs, bumps in ribcage), spinal and pelvic deformities (scoliosis), odd-shaped skull, increased tendency toward fractures, dental deformities, night fevers, muscle cramps, impaired growth, decreased muscle tone and growth, general weakness
DURATION: Short-term to chronic
TREATMENTS: Dietary supplements, moderate exposure to sunlight
Causes and Symptoms
Rickets is a relatively rare bone disease that most frequently afflicts children. It is the result of insufficient or inefficient absorption of vitamin D in the body, which causes a progressive softening and weakening of the bone. Certain physical conditions can reduce or absorption of fats and may also diminish vitamin D absorption by the intestines. The loss of calcium and phosphate from the bone eventually causes destruction of the supportive bone matrix. In adult deficiency, demineralization (osteomalacia) may occur in the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities, causing osteoporosis (an adult disorder causing brittle bones).
Symptoms of rickets may include pain or tenderness of the long and pelvis, skeletal deformities such as bowlegs, bumps in the rib cage (rachitic rosary), spinal and pelvic deformities (including kyphosis or scoliosis), pigeon breast, an asymmetrical or odd-shaped skull, increased tendency toward fractures, dental deformities and cavities, night fevers, muscle cramps, impaired growth, decreased muscle tone and growth, and general weakness and restlessness.
Hereditary rickets is a sex-linked vitamin D-resistant disorder that occurs when the kidney is unable to retain phosphate. Rickets may also occur in children with liver disorders or biliary disorders, when vitamin D and fats are inadequately absorbed.
Treatment and Therapy
Uncomplicated infantile rickets can be cured with a daily replacement of deficient calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D. Clinical testing reveals improvement after one week. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish, liver, and processed milk. In addition, moderate exposure to sunlight is therapeutic. Skeletal deformities can be corrected with good posture or body braces; in some cases, surgery may be necessary. If rickets is not corrected in children, short stature and skeletal deformities may become permanent.
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