Rickets

Alternative names:

deficiency - vitamin D; osteomalacia in children; pediatric osteomalacia; renal osteodystrophy; renal rickets; vitamin D deficiency

Treatment:

The treatment goals are the relief of symptoms and the correction of the cause. The replacement of deficient calcium, phosphorous, and/or vitamin D causes symptoms to disappear. There may be a need to use the biologically active form of vitamin D in people who have vitamin D-resistant rickets or who have difficulty converting vitamin D to its active form. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish, liver, and processed milk. Exposure to moderate amounts of sunlight is encouraged. The underlying cause must be treated to prevent recurrence. Maintaining good posture helps to correct skeletal deformities. Positioning or bracing may be used to reduce or prevent deformities. A surgical correction of some skeletal deformities may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

The disorder may be corrected with replacement of deficient minerals and vitamin D. Laboratory values and X-rays usually improve after about 1 week, although some cases may be resistant and require large doses of minerals and vitamin D.

If rickets is not corrected while children are still growing, skeletal deformities and short stature may be permanent, but if it is corrected while the child is young skeletal deformities often reduce or disappear with time.

Complications:

• chronic skeletal pain
• skeletal deformities
• skeletal fractures, may be spontaneous (without a cause such as trauma)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate rickets may be present.