A deficient amount of vitamin D makes it difficult for bones to maintain a proper amount of calcium and phosphorus. Prolonged vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, a condition in which there is softening and weakening of the bones. Children 3- to 36-months-old are most susceptible due to their rapid growth spurts, according to MayoClinic.com. Rickets causes skeletal deformities such as bowed legs and knocked knees. Vitamin D deficiency and rickets can be reversed by enhancing the amount of vitamin D and calcium children consume. If rickets remains untreated and is not corrected while children are still growing, however, their skeletal deformities may remain permanent, according to MedlinePlus.
Development
Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the bones. When people do not intake an adequate amount of vitamin D, the body does not absorb calcium and phosphorus properly. MayoClinic.com states that the body then senses the insufficient amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream and reacts by removing calcium and phosphorus from skeletal bones in order to raise blood levels to adequate levels. This process softens and weakens bone structures, which results in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
Signs
Vitamin D deficiency develops slowly. Physical signs do not become apparent for months after the deficiency first began, according to the MayoClinic.com. The classic sign of rickets is skeletal deformities, such as bowed legs, abnormal curvature of the spine, pelvic deformities, asymmetrical skull, bumps in the rib cage, and breastbone projections in the chest. Abnormal skeletal formations can delay growth in height or limbs, also making these bones more susceptible to fracture. Additionally, due to soft and weak bone structures children may also experience dull, aching pain or tenderness in the spine, pelvis and legs.
Complications
If children do not receive proper treatment for rickets, many complications may result. Rickets prevents children from growing properly and developing normally due to multiple skeletal deformities. Ultimately, children suffer from chronic growth problems and can have a substantially shorter stature, whereas adults reach statures of less than 5-feet-tall, according to MedlinePlus. Lastly, untreated rickets delays children's motor skill development causing them to struggle with crawling, walking, running, jumping and other movements.
Diagnosis
During a physical examination, the doctor will first take a brief medical history to evaluate for kidney problems, celiac disease, or a family history of rickets. The physician will then check for pain or tenderness in the bones, particularly of the arms, legs, pelvis and spine, according to MedlinePlus. Blood test will be ordered to measure blood calcium and phosphorus levels to see if they're normal or depleting. X-rays may also be order to assess for softening or weakening of the bones, such as fractures or abnormal bowing, or bending.
Treatment
The treatment goal for rickets is to solve the underlying disorder, which is the deficient amount of vitamin D in the bloodstream. Implementing vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus in a child's diet eliminates the signs association with rickets, such as bone tenderness and muscle weakness, according to MayoClinic.com. The child's family physician may prescribe a vitamin D supplement or ask the family to enhance the child's consumption of vitamin D fortified foods, such as fortified breakfast cereal, orange juice, fish and processed milk. If nutritional recommendations are followed vitamin D deficiency generally clears within three months.
