All about rickets disease  causes of rickets symptoms of rickets diagnosis of rickets treatment for rickets |
|
What're the symptoms of rickets?
The symptoms of rickets include bowed legs and bowed arms. The bowed appearance is due to the softening of bones,
and their bending if the bones are weight-bearing. Bone growth occurs through the creation of new cartilage, a soft substance at the ends of bones. When the mineral calcium phosphate is deposited onto the cartilage, a hard structure is created. In vitamin D deficiency, though, calcium is not available to create hardened bone, and the result is soft bone. Other symptoms of rickets include particular bony bumps on the ribs called rachitic rosary (beadlike prominences at the junction of the ribs with their cartilages) and knock-knees. Seizures may also occasionally occur in a child with rickets, because of reduced levels of dissolved calcium in the bloodstream. Hypophosphatemic rickets usually begins in the first year of life. It ranges from so mild that it produces no noticeable symptoms to so severe that it produces bowing of the legs and other bone deformities, bone pain, and a short stature. Bony outgrowth where muscles attach to bones may limit movement at those joints. A baby's skull bones may close too soon, leading to seizures. |
| |
|
More information on rickets
What is rickets? - Rickets is an abnormal bone formation in children resulting from inadequate calcium in their bones. Rickets is a failure to mineralize bone.
What causes rickets? - The main cause of rickets is the deficiency of vitamin D caused in the body during childhood. Vitamin D acts as a hormone to regulate calcium absorption.
What're the symptoms of rickets? - The symptoms of rickets include bowed legs and bowed arms. Other symptoms of rickets include particular bony bumps on the ribs.
How is rickets diagnosed? - Rickets is diagnosed by x-ray examination of leg bones. A blood test may measure the amounts of the minerals calcium and phosphorus.
What's the treatment for rickets? - The treatment goals for rickets are to relieve symptoms and correct the cause of the condition. The underlying cause must be treated to prevent recurrence. |
|
|
|
