Paediatrics » Nutritional disorders

Rickets

Rickets is a softening of the bones in children potentially leading to fractures and various deformities. Commonest cause is a vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets. More commonly seen in children suffering from severe malnutrition, it but can also occur in adults. A similar condition occurring in adults due to a deficiency of vitamin D is called Osteomalacia. Treatment involves increasing dietary intake of calcium, phosphates and vitamin D. Exposure to sunshine, cod liver oil are rich sources of vitamin D. Sufficient exposure to sunlight daily and adequate intake of calcium and phosphorus in the diet can prevent rickets.

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