What is Rickets?

Rickets is a disorder that affects bones of the young children. It is caused by vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate deficiency. These nutrients are essential for the normal growth and development of the skeletal system. A deficiency of these nutrients leads to soft and brittle bones, stunted growth, and skeletal deformities [1].

Vitamin D is the main nutrient that is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, its deficiency also leads to the lack of the other 2 nutrients. Eggs, milk, and fish are good natural sources of vitamin D. Your body also produces vitamin D when exposed to direct sunlight.

 

What are the Symptoms of Rickets?

The signs and symptoms of rickets vary according to the intensity of the disease. The following are some common symptoms of rickets [2]:

• Short stature
• Bone pain
• Stunted growth
• Tenderness in legs, pelvis, or spine
• Frequent bone fractures
• Teeth abnormalities such as delayed eruption, abscess formation, damaged enamel, cavities, and defective structure of the teeth and gums
• Muscle cramps
• Bow legs
• Odd shape of the skull
• Prominent rib cage
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Pelvic deformities
• Bumpy ribcage

Visit your healthcare provider right away if you notice any symptoms of rickets in your child. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to prevent lifelong deformity. Children who are left untreated usually end up having very short stature.

 

What are the Causes of Rickets?

Rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency which also leads to calcium and phosphate deficiency. These nutrients are essential for the development of normal bones in young children [3]. Diet is the main source of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestines.

 Direct sunlight also contributes a major portion of our body’s vitamin D requirements. Lack of exposure to sunlight also causes rickets.

In rare cases, a genetic form of rickets is also present. Genetic abnormality is the root cause of this form of rickets [4]. Any child who does not get enough vitamin D from dietary sources or sunlight is susceptible to getting rickets.

 

 

What are the Treatment Options for Rickets?

Early diagnosis leads to increasing the dietary intake of vitamin D up to the mark. Having a proper vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate-enriched diet can help improve the symptoms. Parents are advised to give their children milk, eggs, liver, fish, and other vitamin D-rich food items. Expose your child to sunlight for at least 5 to 30 minutes every day between 10 am to 3 pm [5].

In cases of severe deficiency, oral and injectable supplements are prescribed. The correct dosage of calcium and vitamin D supplements varies according to the age and size of the kid. Therefore, ask your doctor before starting the supplementation. As you continue to replace the missing nutrients, you will notice gradual elimination of the symptoms. 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562285/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7335963/#:~:text=Both%20skeletal%20and%20extraskeletal%20manifestations,%2C%20craniotabes%2C%20and%20bone%20pain.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562285/#:~:text=In%20this%20form%20of%20rickets%2C%20vitamin%20D%20cannot%20be%20converted,biosynthesis%20present%20in%20the%20liver.
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5790329/#:~:text=Rickets%20is%20a%20disease%20of,and%20bone%20matrix%20(1).
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9395459/#:~:text=Calcipenic%20rickets-,Nutritional%20rickets,)%20%5B10%2C%2023%5D. 

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