Rickets - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

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Summary about Rickets

Rickets is a softening and weakening of the bones in children caused by a severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency. Rickets can also be caused by rare inherited problems. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food by your child's body. 

Rickets Facts and Figures

According to research on nutritional rickets, it has been found that this condition is caused by the deficiency of calcium and Vitamin D all around the world. It is mostly diagnosed in the first few years after birth. Other facts and statistics about rickets have been listed below:

Prevalence of Rickets Worldwide	up to 9%
Common in	Children
At-Risk Gender	Boys and girls both
Average Age for Diagnosis	1-2 years
Problems related to Rickets	Bowed legs, projected chest bones, thick wrists, and ankles
Specialists Who Treat Rickets	Pediatric Endocrinologist

Symptoms of Rickets

The common symptoms of Rickets are;  

• Bowed legs or knock knees. 
• Thickened wrists and ankles. 
• Breastbone projection.
• Delayed growth.
• Delayed motor skills.
• Pain in the spine, pelvis, and legs.
• Muscle weakness

If your child is showing any of the symptoms of rickets given above, consult a doctor now. Book an online appointment with the Best Pediatric Endocrinologists in Pakistan. Call at the Marham Helpline: 0311-1222398. 

Causes of Rickets

Vitamin D is required for the child's body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. Rickets can develop if the child's body does not get enough vitamin D or if his or her body does not use vitamin D properly. Rickets can be caused by a lack of calcium or a lack of calcium and vitamin D.

Preventive Measures of Rickets

To prevent rickets, make sure your child consumes vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish like salmon and tuna, fish oil, and egg yolks, or foods fortified with vitamin D, such as infant formula, cereal, and bread.

Treatment for Rickets in Children

Since most cases of rickets are caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium, it is usually treated by increasing a child's vitamin D and calcium intake, consuming more calcium and vitamin D-rich foods and taking calcium and vitamin D supplements on a daily basis.

You can also read more about the Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency.