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| X-ray of the legs of a two-year old ricket sufferer. Notice that the legs are bowed. |
Cause
Rickets is a nutritional disease that is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, leading to the softening or weakening of bones. It is more common among children.
Symptoms
Symptoms of rickets include bone tenderness or pain, especially in the arms, legs, pelvis, and spine; impaired growth; increased bone fractures, muscle cramps; dental deformities, such as delayed formation of teeth, increased cavities, or holes in the enamel; skeletal deformities, such as an oddly shaped skull, bowlegs, bumps in the ribcage, or scoliosis; and short stature, when the adults are less than five feet tall.
Treatment
In order to eliminate the cause of the disease, the vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus that is lacking is replaced. This is usually done with a change in diet so that sources of vitamin D, such as liver, fish, or milk, are included in the diet. Exposure to moderate amounts of sunlight is also needed. In some cases in which rickets is caused by a metabolic problem, vitamin D supplements may be prescribed. Position or bracing may be needed to reduce deformities. For some skeletal deformities, corrective surgery may be necessary.
Sources:
information from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001384/
picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickets
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