What Causes Rickets?

Common Causes of Rickets You Should Know

Rickets is a childhood condition in which bones soften and weaken, usually because they do not have enough vitamin D or calcium. This shortfall can be due to insufficient sun exposure, malnutrition , or disease associated with some nutrient malabsorption. A few children have inherited disorders that disrupt how their body processes vitamin D or phosphate, resulting in rickets.

Rickets may also be caused by medical problems or genetic factors that interfere with how the body metabolizes vitamin D or calcium. Treatment generally consists of increasing dietary or supplemental vitamin D and calcium. Rickets can be prevented by ensuring children have a healthy diet and receive adequate exposure to natural sunlight.

Keep reading to learn more about rickets!

What is The Meaning of Rickets?

Rickets is a condition that occurs in childhood when the bones weaken and soften, usually because of a vitamin D or calcium deficiency. A lack of this results in bone pain, stunted growth, and deformities like bowed legs or thickened wrists and ankles.

For the body to be able to absorb calcium efficiently, it requires vitamin D; without ample amounts of these nutrients, bones cannot grow in a healthy way. The body produces vitamin D with the help of sunlight, and it is also present in foods including oily fish, eggs and fortified foods.

To avoid rickets, children should have sufficient vitamin D from sunlight, diet, or supplements, and adequate calcium intake. Regular check-ups can help monitor and treat any deficiencies early.

What is The Disease Rickets Called?

Rickets, or “rachitis” in medical terms, is a childhood bone disease caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus. This causes bones to become soft and weak, which results in bowed legs, bone pain, and slow growth. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid permanent bony deformities.

What does Rickets Look Like?

Rickets is a childhood bone disease characterized by bone pain, stunted growth, and soft, weak bones. This tends to manifest in visible changes to their form. A classic sign is a leg that curves outward, a condition called bowlegs, or inwards, known as knock-knees. Children might also experience swelling at the wrists and ankles due to enlarged growth plates. Other signs include a prominent breastbone and a soft skull in infants.

Apart from these physical differences, children with rickets can experience bone pain in the arms, legs, pelvis, or spine. They could have muscle weakness that made it hard to move. Dental abnormalities, including delayed eruption and abnormal tooth structure, are frequent. Growth delays can lead to shorter stature compared to peers.

Is Rickets a Skin Disease?

Rickets is not a skin condition but a bone problem in children with soft and weak bones. The most common cause is a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate needed for normal bone development.

Although rickets is not a skin condition, certain skin disorders that limit sun exposure can contribute to its development. Treatment typically involves increasing vitamin D and calcium intake through diet, supplements, or sunlight exposure.

How do You Confirm Rickets?

To confirm if a child has rickets, doctors use several methods:

1. Physical Examination: Doctors search for evidence such as bowed legs, thick wrists and ankles, or a soft skull. They’re also on the lookout for growth that has lagged and muscle weakness.
2. Blood Tests: Your health care provider may test levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Although it varies in each patient, rickets patients generally have low levels of calcium and phosphorus, and an elevated level of alkaline phosphatase.
3. X-rays: Imaging can be used to diagnose bone deformities. X-rays can reveal changes like enlarged growth plates or soft bones, which would be characteristic of rickets.
4. Bone Density Scan (DEXA Scan): A test that shows how dense your bones are. It is useful for determining the degree of bone weakening.
5. Urine Tests: Occasionally, urine is checked to assess how the body is processing minerals, which can give a broader picture of bone health.
6. Genetic Testing: If the usual treatment for rickets isn't effective, you might have tests to determine whether you have an inherited form of the disease.

By combining these methods, doctors can accurately diagnose rickets and start appropriate treatment.

Is Rickets a Viral Disease?

No, rickets is not a viral disease. It is a disorder that impacts the formation of bones in children which results in soft and weak bones. Rickets is often a result of long-term vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate deficiency. These are all important nutrients for strong and healthy bones.

Without adequate vitamin D, the body is unable to absorb calcium properly, which can cause bone issues. Rickets can be avoided by eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sunlight, which allows the body to make vitamin D. It’s not contagious, which means it can’t be passed between people.

How is Rickets Treated?

Rickets is usually cured by treating the lack of vitamin D and calcium. The following are the major treatment options:

1. Supplements: Daily vitamin D and calcium supplements are prescribed in the majority of cases. It's based on the child's age and how severe the deficiency is. You should follow medical advice, because too much vitamin D can be dangerous.
2. Sun Exposure:Safe sun exposure allows the body to make vitamin D. It's a great form of self-care to be outside, but keep that skin sunburn-free.
3. Bracing or Surgery: In some cases, surgical correction of the bone structure might be necessary in cases of severe deformity.

Health insurance is generally advised so that you can ensure that your financial stability and health needs are taken care of should anything go wrong in the future. Our Star health insurance plans offer complete rickets coverage. We also provide speedy and hassle-free claim settlements at over 14,000 network hospitals across the country.