Rickets is a childhood disease where your child's bones are too soft, causing them to bend, bend and break more easily.. It is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D, but in rare cases it is caused by an underlying genetic disorder.. It can also cause rickets. to rickets Addition of vitamin D or calcium to the diet usually resolves bone problems associated with rickets. Some skeletal abnormalities may require corrective surgery due to rickets. Rare inherited disorders associated with low levels of phosphorus (a mineral found in bones) may require other medications.. What is rickets?. Rickets is a childhood disease where a child's bones become softer than normal causing them to deform, bend and break....Rickets is different from **osteomalacia** (softness of the bones in adults)....the difference is that rickets only happens in children because their bones are still growing and causes classic symptoms like bowing or bowing of the bones..it corrects itself and you don't have these symptoms (Unless in childhood have untreated rickets) .... symptoms and causes ### **What are the signs and symptoms of rickets?** - Bowing of the leg bones... - Widening of the knees (in children who walk) or wrists (in infants who move on all fours).... - Bone pain... - Swelling of the ends of the ribs, called rosary rickets, because the ends of the ribs resemble rosary beads (on the chest ribbons or under the skin....above).... - Delayed growth.... - Abnormal curvature of the spine or deformity Skull .... - Dental problems, eg Tooth decay .... - Convulsions (in severe cases when the calcium level is very low) ... The skeleton will be as follows: - Bracket legs or cross legs - Thickening of wrists and ankles - Prominence of the breastbone ### ** What is the cause of rickets?** Nutritional or genetic problems are usually the cause of rickets.. - ** Nutritional rickets: ** This type is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D, which the body needs to absorb calcium. Some of the causes of this deficiency are: - Inadequate exposure to sunlight (which helps the body produce vitamin D).... - Lack of vitamin D in the child's diet.... This can happen in vegetarian/vegan diets, lactose intolerance, or conditions that limit vitamin D absorption (such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or other genetic diseases in the body...).. It also affects how the body manages phosphorus and Causes of rickets. These types of disorders are rare. ### Causes of rickets Your child's body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. If the child's body does not get enough vitamin D or has problems using vitamin D properly, rickets may develop. Children who do not get enough vitamin D from these two sources may have a deficiency: 1.... **Sunlight**: A child's skin produces vitamin D by exposure to sunlight.... But children in developed countries usually spend less time outdoors.... They also use more sunscreens that block the sun's rays that are needed to produce vitamin D.... 2.... **Food**: Fish oil, egg yolks, and fatty fish contain vitamin D, such as salmon and mackerel.. Milk, cereals and some fruit juice... **absorption problems** Some children are born with medical conditions or problems that affect the way their bodies absorb vitamin D... Some of these conditions include: - Celiac disease - Inflammatory bowel disease - Cystic fibrosis - Kidney problems **Read more: 8 knee exercises and knee pain treatment exercises** ### Who are at risk? 1....Babies and infants are most at risk, especially those who are breastfed (especially if the mother is not getting enough vitamin D) or babies born prematurely.... 2.... Children who don't get enough exposure to sunlight (windows block the sun's rays that the body needs to produce vitamin D).... This is especially true in the winter... and produces the necessary vitamin D).... **complications of rickets** If left untreated, rickets can lead to: - Stop growth - Abnormal curvature of the spine - Bone abnormalities - Dental problems - Convulsions Diagnosis and tests ### **How ​​is rickets diagnosed?** There are several ways to diagnose rickets. If a pediatrician suspects rickets based on a physical exam or symptoms, he or she may order one or more of the following tests: - X-rays .... - Blood tests .... - Urine tests .... - Bone biopsy (rarely done) .... - Genetic testing (for hereditary rickets) .... Management and treatment ### **Is rickets curable?** Yes, most cases of rickets (especially nutritional rickets) can be treated if caught early. In most cases, dietary changes, vitamin supplements, and increased sun exposure are enough to treat the condition. Dietary changes: This usually involves high doses of vitamin D, either through diet or supplements.. These doses may be prescribed for several months, depending on the severity of the disease and other factors.. The pediatrician may recommend a standard daily vitamin D supplement after high doses are no longer needed.. Surgery: Children's bones usually straighten on their own.. In very severe cases, children may need to use braces to correct the curvature of their bones.. In some cases, surgery may also be an option.... For hereditary rickets, there are several treatment options, depending on the genetic disorder.... Your pediatrician may refer you to a specialist to find a treatment solution.... ### **What are the possible side effects of rickets?** While rickets is a treatable and often curable condition, it is important to treat it as soon as possible....Mild cases of rickets, if left untreated, can lead to long-term bone problems that prevent the bones from growing properly....Untreated severe cases can cause seizures, heart damage and death..... **Read more: The best knee replacement surgeon** prevention ### **Can rickets be prevented?** Yes, nutritional rickets is preventable.... **For pregnant people and babies:** - Pregnant people: take a vitamin D supplement as directed by your doctor....The standard recommendation is at least 600 international units of vitamin D per day....However, your doctor may encourage you to take up to 2,000 units per day....You may also be advised to take a calcium supplement to prevent future bone loss....- Infants: *** Vitamin D supplement drops are available for older children.. - Sunlight: Your body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. produces D, so it's harder for people with darker skin who spend a lot of time indoors (or people who only go out with sunscreen) to make enough vitamin D..it's fortified that way....In the case of inherited diseases that cause rickets, the disease itself is not preventable....but if you know you or your child has a genetic disorder, early genetic testing may make it easier to prevent rickets. Don't... ### When should I talk to my doctor or pediatrician?. - If your child complains or shows any of the symptoms listed above, especially widening of the wrists in children who walk on all fours or bowing of the legs in children who are old enough to walk... Cond... View of Rickets ### **How ​​long will my child get this disease?** Nutritional rickets can be cured within a few weeks or months, depending on the severity of the disease....Most symptoms such as weakness or pain should improve within a few weeks....Vitamin D deficiency should also improve within six to eight weeks....If your child has bowed or bowed bones, it may take months to heal (this may happen on its own, but may require surgery...it can be treated, but the underlying disease is a lifelong condition Your pediatrician (and, if needed, specialists) can help you and your child manage your condition. ### **What is the outlook for children with rickets?** For children with nutritional rickets, the outlook is usually good...With treatment, their condition should improve within weeks to months...Most children treated for nutritional rickets make a full recovery and grow into healthy adults...For children with hereditary rickets, the prognosis depends on their specific genetic disorder...However, in many cases, children with this type of rickets can grow into adults who They do not have a full life. Rickets is a childhood condition in which a child's bones become softer than normal, causing them to deform, bend and break... Most cases of rickets are treatable... During this process, it is important to talk to your child about what is happening to him and help him learn that he has a role in managing his own health.. Nutritional or hereditary rickets, it is important to give your child the necessary skills and tools Give yourself to treat the symptoms of the disease Rickets is only part of the recovery. Your pediatrician may recommend that you and/or your child see a mental health professional to help you deal with the condition and how others may treat you and your child if you have it (and specifically have visible symptoms). Others living with the same disease (or a very similar disease). Connecting with others who have a similar experience can help you and your child emotionally, and it can also help you learn new and better ways to manage your child's condition.