What are rickets?

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 digestion 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 bones 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 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.

Bibliography

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