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OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Rickets

Alternative Names:
Osteomalacia in children; Vitamin D deficiency; Renal rickets

Treatment:

The treatment goals are to relieve symptoms and correct the cause of the condition. The underlying cause must be treated to prevent recurrence.

The replacement of deficient calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D will eliminate most symptoms of rickets. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish, liver, and processed milk. Exposure to moderate amounts of sunlight is encouraged.

Positioning or bracing may be used to reduce or prevent deformities. Some skeletal deformities may require corrective surgery.



Expectations (prognosis):
The disorder may be corrected with replacement of deficient minerals and vitamin D. Laboratory values and X-rays usually improve after about 1 week, although some cases may be resistant and require large doses of minerals and vitamin D.

If rickets is not corrected while children are still growing, skeletal deformities and short stature may be permanent. If it is corrected while the child is young, skeletal deformities often diminish or disappear with time.

Complications:
  • Chronic skeletal pain
  • Skeletal deformities
  • Skeletal fractures, may occur without cause


Calling your health care provider:
Call your child's health care provider if you notice symptoms of rickets.

Review Date: 10/29/2002
Reviewed By: Philip L. Graham III, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New York, Columbia University, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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