Rickets

Rickets is a disorder of infancy and early childhood of multiple etiologies. Rickets, causing soft bones, may occur if insufficient vitamin D is present to assist in calcium absorption. When insufficient calcium is absorbed by the bone, it does not harden properly, and is too soft to support the weight of the growing body properly. The disease of rickets takes its name from the Greek word for spine, rhakhis.

Manifestations of disease

Rickets causes bone pain, slowed growth in children, dental problems, muscle loss and increased risk of fractures (easily broken bones). Medical problems seen in children with rickets are

Related Topics:
Dental - Muscle - Fracture

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• Vitamin D deficiency,
• Skeletal deformity,
• Growth disturbance,
• Hypocalcemia (low level of calcium in the blood),
• Tetany (uncontrolled muscle spasms).

The X-ray, or radiograph, in the article is the classic image of advanced rickets sufferers: bow legs (outward curve of long bone of the legs) and a deformed chest. Changes in the skull also occur causing a distinctive "square headed" appearance. These deformities persist into adult life.

Related Topics:
X-ray - Radiograph

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