Rickets: Definition, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Overview

• Rickets is a childhood disease where bones become too soft, leading to warping, bending, and breaking.
• Primarily caused by a lack of vitamin D; can also be due to genetic disorders.
• Differs from osteomalacia, which occurs in adults, as rickets affects growing bones, leading to bowed or bent bones.

Symptoms and Causes

Signs and Symptoms

• Bowing of leg bones.
• Widening of knees or wrists.
• Bone pain and swelling of rib ends (rachitic rosary).
• Pigeon chest and growth delays.
• Spine or skull shape abnormalities.
• Dental issues (e.g., cavities) and seizures in severe cases.

Causes

• Nutritional Rickets:
  • Lack of vitamin D due to insufficient sunlight exposure or dietary intake.
  • Conditions limiting vitamin D absorption (e.g., Crohn's, celiac disease).
  • Low dietary calcium.
• Inherited Rickets:
  • Genetic disorders affecting vitamin D absorption or phosphorus handling.

At Risk Groups

• Newborns, infants (especially breastfed without vitamin D supplements).
• Children with limited sunlight exposure, especially in winter.
• Dark-skinned children needing more sunlight for vitamin D synthesis.

Diagnosis and Tests

• Physical examination indicators.
• Diagnostic tests include X-rays, blood/urine tests, bone biopsies, and genetic testing.

Management and Treatment

Cure and Treatment Options

• Dietary Changes: High doses of vitamin D, supplements, sunlight exposure.
• Surgery: Rare but possible for severe bone deformities.
• Treatments differ for genetic rickets, often involving specialists.

Complications

• Untreated cases can lead to long-term bone issues or severe complications (e.g., seizures, heart damage).

Prevention

Nutritional Rickets

• Pregnant women: Vitamin D supplementation.
• Infants: 400 IUs of vitamin D daily.
• Older children: Sunlight exposure, vitamin D-rich foods (fish, fortified products).

Inherited Rickets

• Genetic testing for early diagnosis and management.

Outlook / Prognosis

Condition Duration

• Nutritional rickets can improve within weeks to months with treatment.
• Inherited rickets requires lifelong management.

Prognosis

• Nutritional rickets: Good prognosis with treatment, leading to healthy adulthood.
• Inherited rickets: Varies based on genetic disorder, but many lead full lives.

Additional Notes

• It's crucial to treat rickets early to avoid long-term complications.
• Support and education for children with rickets can empower self-care and management.
• Connecting with support groups can provide emotional support and practical management tips.

Reviewed

• Last medically reviewed on 03/08/2022.