Neonatal Rickets

Neonatal rickets is congenital or early-onset vitamin-D-deficiency bone disease in infants born to vitamin-D-deficient mothers. Clinical: craniotabes, soft skull, hypocalcemic tetany, seizures, delayed fontanelle closure, and rachitic rosary. Risk: maternal vitamin-D deficiency, exclusive breast-feeding without supplementation, limited sunlight. Treatment: vitamin-D and calcium supplementation; mother also supplemented.

Common Symptoms

Craniotabes; soft skull; hypocalcemic tetany/seizures; rachitic rosary; delayed fontanelle closure

Causes and Pathogenesis

In-utero/postnatal vitamin-D deficiency impairs intestinal calcium/phosphate absorption, causing impaired mineralization of growing bone/growth plate.

Treatment

Oral vitamin-D and calcium; treat hypocalcemia; maternal supplementation; adequate sunlight exposure

Preventive Measures

Prenatal vitamin-D; infant vitamin-D drops; sunlight exposure.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Pediatrics department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.