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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a pediatrician. It's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your child's appointment, and what to expect from your child's doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms your child is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that your child is taking.
- Write down questions any questions you have for your child's doctor.
For rickets, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is the most likely cause of my child's symptoms?
- Are there any other possible causes for my child's symptoms?
- What kinds of tests does my child need?
- How is the type of rickets my child has treated?
- How can I prevent this from happening again?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your child's doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your child's doctor may ask:
- When did your child first begin experiencing symptoms?
- How much milk does your child consume daily? What about other dairy products?
- How much time does your child spend outdoors? Does he or she regularly wear sunscreen?
What you can do in the meantime
Before your appointment, it's a good idea to track your child's diet so that you can better assess whether he or she is getting enough vitamin D, and other nutrients.
- Nield LS, et al. Rickets: Not a disease of the past. American Family Physician. 2006;74(4):619-626.
- Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(3):266-81.
- Rauch F. Etiology and treatment of hypocalcemic rickets in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
- Gilchrest BA. Sun exposure and vitamin D sufficiency. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;88(2)(suppl):570S-577S.
- Rauch F. Overview of rickets in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
- Dietary reference intakes: Vitamins. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/54/411/DRIs.Vitamins.pdf. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
- 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.
- Dietary reference intakes: Elements. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/54/395/DRIs.Elements.pdf. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 21, 2008.
