rickets
Last reviewed 01/2018
Rickets is the consequence of poor bone mineralisation. It is the childhood equivalent of osteomalacia
- commonest cause of rickets is simple nutrient deficiency of vitamin D (from sunlight, diet or both), ie. deficiency in the absence of any other cause such as malabsorption, or disorders of the liver, kidneys or metabolism
Clinical features summary:
- classically present
with bony abnormalities such as leg-bowing and knock-knees
- may also be bony deformities of the chest, pelvis and skull, fractures in severe cases, delayed dentition, poor growth, and, rarely, bone pain
- may present with symptoms of hypocalcaemia, such as neuromuscular irritability (e.g. convulsions, tetany), cardiomyopathy or cardiac arrest may be the presenting feature, especially in very young infants
Vitamin D deficiency in children
- overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children in the UK is not known
-
appears particularly prevalent among non-European ethnic minorities
- evidence
from observational studies suggest that, in these minority groups, vitamin D deficiency
occurs:
- in around 50% of pregnant women and their neonates, up to 40% of toddlers, up to 45% of schoolchildren and over 70% of adolescents
- evidence
from observational studies suggest that, in these minority groups, vitamin D deficiency
occurs:
Reference:
- Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2006; 44(2):12-16.