Rickets

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones in children, usually because of an extreme and prolonged vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is essential in promoting absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract, which your child needs to build strong bones. A deficiency of vitamin D makes it difficult to maintain proper calcium and phosphorus levels in bones.

If a vitamin D or calcium deficiency causes rickets, adding vitamin D or calcium to the diet generally corrects any resulting bone problems for your child. Rickets due to a genetic condition may require additional medications or other treatment. Some skeletal deformities caused by rickets may need corrective surgery.

Symptoms
References
  1. Nield LS, et al. Rickets: Not a disease of the past. American Family Physician. 2006;74(4):619-626.
  2. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(3):266-81.
  3. Rauch F. Etiology and treatment of hypocalcemic rickets in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
  4. Gilchrest BA. Sun exposure and vitamin D sufficiency. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;88(2)(suppl):570S-577S.
  5. Rauch F. Overview of rickets in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
  6. Dietary reference intakes: Vitamins. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/54/411/DRIs.Vitamins.pdf. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
  7. Gartner LM, et al. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency: New guidelines for Vitamin D intake. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/111/4/908. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
  8. Dietary reference intakes: Elements. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/54/395/DRIs.Elements.pdf. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
  9. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 21, 2008.

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Oct. 14, 2008

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