Rickets and osteomalacia are bone disorders with a similar cause. Osteomalacia occurs in adults, and rickets in children. People with rickets have characteristic symptoms and signs, and a qualified healthcare professional can help to diagnose the disease and prevent further damage to the skeletal system.
Symptoms of Rickets
As noted by "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease" by Dr. Vinay Kumar, rickets can delay the closure of the head bones in infants, and the skull bones can remain soft. Other bones in the body can become soft and break easily. The front of the chest may take on a beaded appearance, with little nodules along the area where the breastbone and ribs meet. The legs and arms may bow outward.
Cause of Rickets
Rickets is essentially caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. The defiency can be from inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D, called nutritional rickets. It can also be caused by inherited problems processing vitamin D.
Diagnosis of Rickets
Acccording to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" by Anthony S. Fauci M.D., rickets is diagnosed first by a medical history. Clues to the diagnosis may be a diet with insufficient sources of vitamin D, or a family history of the disease. Imaging can help define which bones are involved. Blood tests can also help to establish the diagnosis and rule out other causes. A biopsy of the bone may also be performed.
Treatment of Rickets and the Use of Cod Liver Oil
Most forms of rickets are treated with vitamin D, calcium and sometimes phosphorus. Dietary intake is increased with foods high in vitamin D including cod liver oil. Some other high vitamin D foods include high-fat fish such as catfish, vitamin D fortified dairy products and the only vegan sources are mushrooms and sunlight. Sun exposure can increase vitamin D synthesis, but should be balanced against its harmful effects on the skin.
References
- "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease;" Vinay Kumar et al; 8th Ed 2009
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine;" Anthony S Fauci et al; 17th Ed 2008
