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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffChildren 3 to 36 months old are most at risk of rickets because they're growing rapidly, and vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus play a major role in the growth process.
Other risk factors for rickets include:
- Lack of vitamin D. Breast-fed infants who don't receive supplemental vitamin D are at increased risk of developing rickets because although vitamin D does cross from mother to baby in the breast milk, it's not enough to prevent a deficiency. While exposure to sunlight could produce the necessary amounts of vitamin D, sunburn and skin cancer are real dangers. Sunscreens, which are used to protect against these dangers, can decrease vitamin D production by blocking the sun's ultraviolet rays.
- Lack of calcium and phosphorus. Children who don't get enough calcium and phosphorus in their diets are at increased risk of rickets.
References
- 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.
