Rickets is a condition that affects the bones in a child's body. It is generally present in children and rarely adults. In most cases, rickets develops due to malnutrition. If your child has symptoms of rickets, you should seek medical care for him immediately -- failure to do so could result in a permanent change in bone structure.
Rickets
Rickets occurs more frequently in developing countries or areas where there is not access to adequate or clean food and water. Rickets is essentially a softening in the bone structure, and can eventually lead to breakage, fractures and deformity of the limbs and spine. Rickets can generally be traced back to malnutrition, especially not getting enough vitamin D and calcium in the diet. If an infant is born with a failure to thrive or an nutrient absorption condition, he could be at higher risk for developing rickets. Starvation, inadequate food intake or an extremely poor diet can also be a cause of rickets. In adults, the deficiency is known as osteomalacia and occurs due to an extreme deficiency in vitamin D.
Symptoms
Initially, if an infant or child is not developing properly, or an extreme weight loss is noticeable, a physical exam by a qualified physician can rule out or confirm rickets. If child abuse or neglect is not suspected, a series of tests can also confirm rickets. Classic symptoms include skeletal deformity such as bowed legs, bone fractures, extreme muscle weakness, tooth and gum deformities, square head appearance, muscle spasms, hypocalcemia, chest deformity and an overall poor growth pattern. If malnutrition is the main cause, protruding bones and muscles may be visible.
Treatment
If caught early on, rickets can be treated. The treatment for rickets caused by malnutrition should start by treating the malnutrition or malabsorption of foods. This means following a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy. Your physician may also recommend a high-calorie nutritional supplement to promote and encourage weight gain. Your doctor may also recommend vitamin D and calcium supplements, and the precise dosage should be followed, along with frequent monitoring of calcium and vitamin D levels in the blood.
Prevention
Rickets can be prevented by making sure your child eats a balanced and nutritious diet. Government programs may be able to help you if your child is at high risk for nutritional problems or your family is unable to meet his nutritional requirements. Examples of programs that may help are school lunch and breakfast programs, emergency food assistance programs, WIC or women infant and children and state-funded food stamp programs. Eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish, milk and oatmeal may also help prevent rickets, as will getting a few minutes of sunshine daily.
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