🦴 Rickets
Rickets is a childhood bone disorder caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, leading to soft and weak bones. It primarily affects infants and young children, especially during periods of rapid growth.
🌞 Cause
- Vitamin D deficiency (most common cause)
- Calcium or phosphate deficiency
- Genetic disorders (e.g., X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets)
- Lack of sunlight (which helps produce vitamin D)
- Malabsorption (due to conditions like celiac disease or cystic fibrosis)
- Chronic kidney or liver disease
🧒 Who is at Risk?
- Children with dark skin (less vitamin D synthesis)
- Exclusively breastfed infants without vitamin D supplementation
- Children living in areas with little sunlight
- Vegetarian/vegan diets lacking in vitamin D/calcium
- Low socioeconomic status (poor diet or healthcare access)
🩺 Symptoms
- Delayed growth and development
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Soft skull (craniotabes)
- Delayed tooth eruption
- Muscle weakness
- Bowed legs or knock knees
- Widened wrists/ankles
- Rachitic rosary – bumps at rib margins
🔍 Diagnosis
- Clinical examination
- X-rays: Show bone softening and deformities
- Blood tests:
- Low vitamin D
- Low calcium or phosphate
- High alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- PTH (parathyroid hormone) may be elevated
💊 Treatment
- Vitamin D supplementation
- Oral vitamin D drops or tablets
- Calcium and phosphate supplements if deficient
- Balanced diet rich in:
- Dairy, fish, eggs, fortified cereals
- Sunlight exposure (at least 15–30 min/day on face and limbs)
- Treat underlying disorders in rare genetic or metabolic cases
🔄 Prognosis
- Excellent with early treatment
- Bone deformities may become permanent if untreated
- In severe cases, may lead to growth failure or fractures
🛡️ Prevention
- Routine vitamin D supplementation for all infants (400 IU/day)
- Encourage outdoor activity/sunlight exposure
- Promote vitamin D–rich foods and fortified products