Rickets, osteogenesis imperfecta and osteoporosis all affect the bones. Although they're different conditions, they're similar in some ways. Osteogenesis imperfecta and osteoporosis are both called brittle bone disease. Children with rickets and osteogenesis imperfecta may also have breathing problems, while the same drugs may be used to treat both osteogenesis imperfecta and osteoporosis. There are genetic issues with both osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. All three are related to bone development and metabolism, while people with all of these conditions can suffer from fractures and bone deformities.
Bone Metabolism
Rickets is a condition that originates in childhood; it results from vitamin D deficiency, which affects calcium metabolism. Children with rickets can't build strong bones. Osteogenesis imperfecta affects the formation of collagen, a protein that's the major component of the body’s connective tissue. Collagen provides the framework on which bones are formed. Bone is constantly being created and broken down by the body, a process called bone remodeling. As you grow older, you create less bone, and osteoporosis increases bone loss as you age. The combination results in weakened bones.
Nutrition
Both rickets and osteoporosis are affected by nutrition. In the case of rickets, lack of vitamin D prevents the body from absorbing and using calcium properly, even if calcium in the diet is adequate. Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease, can prevent the body from absorbing minerals such as calcium and make rickets or osteoporosis more serious. Poor nutrition -- particularly, a diet lacking minerals such as calcium, phosphorous and magnesium -- can also contribute to rickets and osteoporosis.
Deformities
Rickets softens the growth plates at the ends of the bones, and children with rickets may develop bowed legs, a curved spine or thickened wrists and ankles. People who have severe osteogenesis imperfecta may also have spinal deformities and bowed arms and legs. Osteoporosis can cause a loss of height, backache and spinal deformities. All of these deformities result from a lack of calcium in the bone, which causes them to become soft. Spinal deformities in particular can result from the soft bones because they don't have the structural integrity to support body weight.
Fractures
People with rickets, osteogenesis imperfecta and osteoporosis are all more susceptible to fractures because their bones are more fragile. Inadequate calcium in the bones leads to structural weaknesses and porous, rather than dense, bones. A fracture is often the first sign of osteoporosis. Immobilization in a cast can also lead to what is called disuse osteoporosis. Frequent fractures are often the first sign of osteogenesis imperfecta, although people who have the least severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta may not be diagnosed until later in life after they've experienced a number of fractures.
