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.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment involves increasing dietary intake of calcium, phosphates and Vitamin D. Exposure to sunshine, cod liver oil, halibut-liver oil, and viosterol are all sources of vitamin D.

Related Topics:
Phosphate - Cod liver oil

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Rickets is a severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency that leads to softening and weakening of the bones in children. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate, which children need to build strong bones. Good sources of dietary vitamin D are vitamin D-fortified formulas and milk.

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Recommendations are for 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day for infants and children. Children who don't get adequate amounts of vitamin D are at increased risk of rickets.

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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants who are breast-fed may not get enough vitamin D from breast milk alone. For this reason, the AAP recommends that infants who are exclusively breast-fed receive daily supplements of vitamin D from age 2 months until they start drinking at least 17 ounces of vitamin D-fortified milk or formula a day.

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In addition to inadequate vitamin D in the diet, other causes of rickets include:

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Hereditary rickets (X-linked hypophosphatemia), an inherited form of the disease caused by the inability of the kidneys to retain phosphate

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Lack of exposure to sunlight, which stimulates the body to make vitamin D

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Conditions that impair absorption of vitamin D, such as celiac disease or short-bowel syndrome

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Signs and symptoms of rickets include:

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Bowed legs

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Leg fractures

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Impaired growth

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A doctor may diagnose rickets by:

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Blood tests to measure calcium and phosphorus levels

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X-rays of affected bones

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A sufficient amount of sunlight each day and adequate supplies of calcium and phosphorus in the diet can prevent rickets. Darker-skinned babies need to be exposed longer to the ultraviolet rays. The replacement of Vitamin D may correct rickets using these methods of ultraviolet light and medicine.

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External links

• Vegan Society's page on vitamin D
• Dr. Susan Ott's website on osteomalacia
• Dictionary.com - Osteomalacia
• Fluoride & Osteomalacia