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Rickets
Rickets
is the failure of the proper development of
mineralization of the bone. It is a condition commonly seen in
children adopted abroad. There can be several causes of rickets
but in adopted children the cause is commonly due to nutritional
deficiencies. Poor diets lack calcium and vitamin D, both of
which are necessary for proper bone growth.
Symptoms
of rickets can vary from no obvious symptoms to the more
obvious:
Teeth can be affected with delayed eruption of baby teeth along with
enamel defects, cavities and some affects of the permanent teeth.
Muscle tone can be decreased and muscles poorly developed contributing
to the delayed motor development.
The head can be box shaped with frontal bossing. The fontanel or
soft spot can have delayed closure up to several years.
Some bones like the spine, pelvis and long leg bones can be
distorted.
More pronounced sweating, especially of the head is also common.
A definitive
diagnosis of rickets can be made for the more severe
cases with blood work. This consists of an alkaline phosphatase,
calcium and phosphorus panel. The more mild cases may show no
changes in the lab results.
Treatment
for mild to moderate cases
of rickets usually respond to a well balanced diet and a
multivitamin plus a vitamin D supplement. At this phase the long bones can
remodel. Moderate to severe cases may require higher vitamin doses
and continued follow up by a doctor well trained in
treating rickets. The more severe cases can be arrested but the
bony deformities can be lifelong.
The
severity of each case depends on the duration and extent
of the nutritional deprivation. Most cases that are diagnosed
within the first few years are responsive to diet and vitamin supplements.
Cindy Sundman, RN, BSN |
