Rickets

Rickets is a

pediatric

condition caused by a lack of vitamin D. The main source of vitamin D is sunlight exposure. It's also an essential part of a child's diet. When vitamin D is lacking, bones will have abnormal shape and strength, so the child might suffer from

short stature

,

bone deformities

, bone pains, delayed walking and poor muscle tone.
There are many risk factors for your child to develop rickets, including having a darker skin tone, limited sun exposure, poor intake of vitamin D, gastrointestinal diseases that prevent proper absorption of vitamin D, kidney diseases, and some rare genetic diseases.
Symptoms

Short stature

or Slow growth

common

Floppy baby or baby with a decreased muscle tone

common

Bone pain

common

Delayed teething

or Teeth anomaly

or Frequent dental cavities

common

Bone deformity

or Easily get bone fractures

common

Delay in walking

or Trouble walking

common

Muscle cramps

  • Carpopedal spasm

or Numbness or tingling in shoulders arms or hands

or Numbness or tingling in legs, feet, or buttocks

or A sudden and temporary alteration of muscle tone, movements or behavior

  • Lasting 15 minutes or more, Lasting less than 15 minutes

  • More than a single episode in a 24 hours, Single episode in 24 hours

  • Focal, Generalized

Risk factors

Vitamin D deficiency

Exclusively breastfed

  • Without vitamin d

Lack of sunlight exposure

Vegan or vegetarian diet

Antiseizure drugs

Cystic fibrosis

or Gluten intolerance

or Inflammation of the colon

Kidney failure or on dialysis

Family history of hereditary rickets

Treatment
To treat this condition, your doctor will prescribe a proper dose of vitamin D and calcium supplementation which would probably be curative. If your child has already developed some

bone deformity

due to lack of vitamin D, bracing or surgery might be advised.
Recommended specialist

If you have Rickets, then a visit to a pediatrician is recommended.

Contact a

Pediatrician

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