Rickets

Causes

A lack of vitamin D or calcium is the most common cause of rickets. Because rickets is not a reportable disease in the United States, there aren’t any national statistics. However, of the genetic causes of rickets – those that cannot be fixed simply by changing diet and nutrition – the most common is X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets, which happens in 1 in 20,000 newborns (.005 percent). Other genetic causes are very rare.¹

Symptoms

Children with genetic rickets may suffer from bone pain, bones that break easily, stunted growth, muscle cramps, and bone deformities such as bow leggedness (genu varum) and spinal deformities.

Diagnosis

Blood tests can diagnose rickets and X-rays may be needed to understand the extent of bone deformities. Bone density scans can reveal how severe the disease is.

Treatment Options

In the case of deficiencies, the first line of treatment is to add vitamin D and calcium pills to the diet to let the body fix any bone problems itself. However, rickets caused by a genetic condition may need additional medicines and surgery.² In less-severe cases, a brace can be used on the spine or limbs to support the bones as they grow.

In more severe cases of limb deformity, gradual osteotomy (the surgical cutting or removal of a piece of bone to change how bones line up) and the use of external fixation can be used to both support and reshape the limbs as they grow and get stronger.² Guided growth with small plates can be used to correct deformities.³

Complications

If untreated, rickets can lead to very stunted growth, dental problems and seizures. Bone problems need to be treated to prevent pain and issues with mobility.