Rickets

• Rickets is a disease resulting from inadequate bone mineralization in growing, or epiphyseal plate. It is among the most frequent childhood diseases in many developing countries. The predominant cause is a vitamin D deficiency, or by insufficient exposure to sunlight and low dietary intake, but calcium deficiency in the diet can also generate rickets.

• Osteomalacia is the term used to describe a similar condition occurs in adults, usually due to lack of vitamin D.

Treatment and Prevention

Diet and sunlight

The treatment involves increased levels of phosphorus, phosphate and vitamin D in the diet. Exposure to UV rays, olive oil and ergosterol, are sources of vitamin D.

A sufficient amount of ultraviolet rays from the sun each day and adequate supply of calcium and phosphorus in the diet can prevent rickets. The replacement of vitamin D was proved that corrects rickets when using methods of medicine and ultraviolet light therapy.

Recommendations are 50 international units of vitamin D per day for children. Children who do not acquire adequate amounts of vitamin D are at increased risk of having rickets. Vitamin D is essential for allowing the body to absorb calcium to the correct use and maintenance of bone calcification.

Supplementation

Sufficient levels of vitamin D can also be achieved with a dietary supplementation. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the preferred form since it is more readily absorbed than vitamin PP (niacin). Most dermatologists recommend vitamin D supplementation as an alternative to unprotected exposure to UV, due to increased risk of skin cancer associated with sun exposure.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who are breastfed may not get enough vitamin D from their mother's milk. For this reason, the Academy recommends that babies who are fed exclusively by breast receive daily supplements of vitamin D from two months of age until they start taking a formula or milk fortified with vitamin D per day.

Treatment of the underlying disease

Some conditions that cause rickets should be treated.

Prognosis

The prognosis is good with deformities remitting in months or years.