Rickets is a bone disorder characterized by softening and weakening of the bones. Rickets is most common in children between the ages of 6 and 24 months, which is one of the most rapid stages of development and a period of extreme bone growth. The most common cause of rickets is a vitamin D deficiency, although inadequate intake of the minerals calcium and phosphorus may also lead to the development of rickets.
Physiology
The health of your bones relies heavily on the minerals calcium and phosphorus as well as the fat-soluble vitamin D. When you consume foods that contain calcium and phosphorus, vitamin D helps stimulate the absorption of these minerals and allows them to travel from the small intestine into your bloodstream. Once in your bloodstream, calcium and phosphorus come together to form a structure called hydroxyapatite, which supplies the strength to your bones. If a child's body does not contain enough of any of these vitamins or minerals, this process becomes interrupted and healthy bones cannot form. Over time, this condition can lead to rickets.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of rickets include delayed or stunted growth, pain in the bones of the spine, legs and pelvis and muscle weakness. Rickets can cause the development of skeletal deformities, such as spinal curvature, bowed legs, protruding chest bone and thick wrists and ankles. A child with rickets may also develop cavities and experience abnormalities in tooth structure.
Mineral Needs
To prevent rickets, it is important that a child receive enough of the vitamins and minerals that play a role in bone formation. Children between 0 and 12 months require 400 IU of vitamin D daily, whereas children over the age of 1 need 600 IU per day. The calcium needs for a child between 0 and 6 months are 200 mg and they increase to 260 mg between the ages of 7 and 12 months. Children between 1 and 3 should consume 700 mg of calcium daily. Between the ages of 0 and 6 months children need 100 mg of phosphorus per day. Children between 7 and 12 months need 275 mg per day and children between 1 and 3 should consume 460 mg per day.
Considerations
Because many infants are breast-fed or fed only formula, it can be difficult to ensure that your child is getting the proper nutrition. If you are concerned about a nutritional deficiency and the possibility of rickets, talk to your pediatrician or a dietitian about how to make sure that your child is getting enough vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus. Never give your infant vitamin or mineral supplements without a doctor's recommendation.
