Rickets

Several infants and children have health conditions, some of them serious, due to malnutrition, such as rickets, which is a serious condition that affects bone growth and might cause dangerous complications if it isn’t managed.

Rickets

Rickets is bone weakness and softness in children that causes the bones to warp, bend, and break more easily. Rickets could be acquired, which is more common, or inherited.

Rickets occur as a result of a defect in the process of bone mineralization, and this process requires calcium and phosphorus, and also the calcium needs sufficient vitamin D to be absorbed adequately.

Causes and risk factors leading to rickets

• The main cause of rickets is when the child isn’t getting enough vitamin D, either by exposure to sunlight or through nutrition.
• Rickets might also occur due to other conditions that cause vitamin D malabsorption, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, and kidney problems.
• The risk of rickets increases in dark-skinned children, in cases of prematurity, vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy, not giving the breastfed infant vitamin D, certain drugs, and living in areas where there is less sunshine.

Symptoms of rickets

In children:

• Delayed growth and motor skills.
• Muscle weakness.
• Pain in the spine, pelvis, and legs.
• Bowed legs.
• Thickened wrists and ankles.
• Breastbone projection.

In infants:

• Tight muscle tone.
• Irregular sound while breathing.

If rickets isn’t managed, it could lead to growth failure, bone deformities, teeth defects, and seizures. In some cases, it might cause heart problems and death.

Diagnosis of rickets

• Physical examination.
• Imaging tests.
• Blood and urine tests.

Treatment of rickets

• Vitamin D and calcium supplements.
• Certain cases might require special bracing to correct the body posture, and sometimes surgery.

Prevention of rickets

• Having enough vitamin D through exposure to sunlight and nutrition.
• Giving breastfeeding infants vitamin D supplements.