Rickets is a bone disease that affects children at an early age, especially between the ages of 6 and 36 months. It is a skeletal disorder caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorous.
Children with rickets may have weak and soft bones, stunted growth, and, in severe cases, skeletal abnormalities.
The effect of vitamin D on bones
Vitamin D deficiency makes it difficult to maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorous, which stimulates the body to release stored calcium and phosphorous from the bones. Therefore, the bones become brittle, weak, and soft.
Vitamin D also helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorous from the intestines.
Who is at risk of developing rickets?
Risk factors for rickets include:
- Age: Rickets is most common in children between the ages of 6 and 36 months. Children at this age need the most calcium and phosphorous to strengthen and grow their bones.
- Poor nutrition: You're more likely to develop rickets if you eat a plant-based diet that doesn't include fish, eggs, or milk. or you have trouble digesting milk or are allergic to milk sugar (lactose).
- Not enough exposure to sunlight, because the skin makes vitamin D from sunlight.
- Genetic factors or hereditary rickets, prevent the kidneys from absorbing phosphorous.
What are the symptoms of rickets?
Symptoms of rickets include:
- Pain in the bones of the arms, legs, pelvis, or spine.
- short stature
- Bone fractures.
- muscle spasms;
- Dental abnormalities, such as:
- Delayed tooth formation.
- Holes in the enamel.
- cysts;
- Defects in the structure of the tooth.
- Increased number of cavities causing tooth decay.
Skeletal abnormalities include:
- Change the shape of the skull.
- Arched legs or legs that bend.
- Protrusions in the rib cage.
- Protrusion of the sternum.
- Curved spine.
- Pelvic abnormalities.
How is rickets diagnosed?
A doctor can easily diagnose rickets by performing a physical examination by finding out that there is a pain in the bones by applying light pressure on them. Certain tests may also help diagnose rickets, such as:
- Blood analysis: To measure the levels of calcium and phosphorous in the blood.
- Bone X-ray: To check for abnormalities in the bones.
- Bone biopsy for analysis but only in rare cases.
How is rickets treated?
Treatment of rickets primarily aims to replace lost vitamins or minerals in the body, such as taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, eating a healthy diet complete with vitamins and minerals, or adequate exposure to sunlight.
But never give a child any nutritional supplement without doing a blood test first, because excess vitamins and minerals negatively affect your child's health as well.
If there are skeletal abnormalities, the child may need orthotics to properly reshape the position of their bones as they grow. In severe cases, your child may need corrective surgery.
For hereditary rickets, a doctor will often recommend a combination of phosphorous supplements and high levels of vitamin D for treatment.
Increased levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous help treat rickets, and improvement often begins within about a week.
But treatment is needed early because if treatment is delayed, skeletal abnormalities can become permanent if the disorder is not treated while the child is developing.
How can rickets be prevented?
The best way to prevent rickets is to eat a diet that contains adequate amounts of calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D.
Rickets can also be prevented by moderate exposure to sunlight, especially in the early hours of the morning and before peak time.
Comments
Post a Comment