Rickets

Rickets is defective mineralization of growing bone/growth plate in children due to vitamin-D deficiency (nutritional or resistant types). Clinical: craniotabes, rachitic rosary, Harrison groove, bowed legs, knock-knees, delayed walking, dental abnormalities, hypocalcemic tetany. Nutritional rickets responds to vitamin-D and calcium; resistant rickets (vitamin-D-dependent, hypophosphatemic) requires specific therapy.

Common Symptoms

Bowed legs/knock-knees; rachitic rosary; Harrison groove; delayed milestones; dental defects; tetany

Causes and Pathogenesis

Vitamin-D deficiency (nutritional, limited sunlight, malabsorption, or resistant forms) impairs calcium/phosphate mineralization of osteoid/growth plate.

Treatment

Vitamin-D and calcium supplementation; treat resistant rickets specifically; sunlight; orthopedic care for deformity

Preventive Measures

Vitamin-D supplementation in infants; fortified foods; sunlight exposure; maternal vitamin-D.

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.