Can rickets be cured?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

Can rickets be cured? Rickets, also known as nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, is primarily caused by insufficient levels of vitamin D in the body leading to disorders in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. It is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal lesions. Typically, it manifests as flawed mineralization of long bones and bone tissue at the growth plates. Vitamin D deficiency rickets is a self-limiting disease that can generally be cured if children have sufficient outdoor activities and adequate exposure to sunlight. Adequate sunlight exposure and physiological doses of vitamin D can treat rickets. Therefore, it is usually recommended that children supplement with 400 units of vitamin D starting about two weeks after birth to prevent and treat rickets. However, if the child is in a later stage and shows obvious skeletal deformities, corrective treatment may be necessary. In severe cases of rickets where intracranial lesions occur, it might affect the child's vital signs and, in serious cases, could even lead to the child's death. Therefore, it is advised that children get plenty of sunlight, routinely supplement with vitamin D, and have regular pediatric check-ups to assess their condition.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Li
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

What foods should not be eaten with rickets?

Patients with rickets should not eat some cereal foods, such as millet, rice, wheat, corn, and other foods. Cereal foods also contain vitamin D and calcium, and eating too much of these foods can exacerbate the disease. Patients with rickets should eat more light, low-fat, and easily digestible foods. They should control the intake of high-fat content daily and avoid eating stimulating and spicy foods. At the same time, they should increase their intake of vitamins, encourage the child to eat more fruits and vegetables to ensure an adequate supply of vitamins, and patients can also exercise more. More physical activity can help boost the immune system.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
57sec home-news-image

Why does rickets cause sweating?

Rickets is a chronic, nutritional disease characterized by skeletal lesions due to a deficiency of vitamin D in the body, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. It is primarily caused by a lack of vitamin D, which can increase neural excitability. Research shows that the vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is not only an essential nutrient but also a precursor to hormones. It is potentially related to various cells including those in the thyroid, pancreas, stomach, brain, and those involved with calcium balance, as well as the immune, endocrine, reproductive systems, skin, and tumors. A deficiency in vitamin D can increase myocardial excitability and lead to symptoms like excessive sweating.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 58sec home-news-image

Rickets symptoms

Rickets, also known as nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic nutritional disease in children caused by inadequate vitamin D in their bodies, leading to disorders in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and characterized by changes in the growth plates. Its manifestation varies with different ages. In infants under six months, especially those under three months, symptoms often include increased nervous excitability, such as being easily irritable, restless, sweating, and shaking their heads due to scalp irritation. As the condition progresses in children under six months, the primary changes are seen in the skull; the edges of the anterior fontanelle are softer, and the skull is thinner. After six months, the softening of the skull disappears, but there can be ping-pong ball-like changes around the skull, leading to a box-shaped head from seven to eight months. Gradually, beading changes form, most notably around the 7th to 10th ribs. Around the age of one, children can develop a pigeon chest deformity, and in severe cases of rickets, a horizontal depression forms at the lower edge of the thoracic cage, known as the costal groove or Harrison's groove. Due to bone softening and muscle and joint laxity, when the child begins to stand and walk, the legs may become bow-legged or X-shaped, and in severe cases, can develop into 'K'-shaped leg deformities. Once the child starts to sit and stand, general ligament laxity can cause spinal deformities. Severe hypophosphatemia leads to muscle carbohydrate metabolism disorder, resulting in overall muscle laxity, decreased muscle tone, and subsequently reduced muscle strength.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 21sec home-news-image

How is rickets treated?

How is rickets treated? Rickets is caused by a lack of vitamin D, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The common nutritional deficiency of vitamin D, primarily due to insufficient intake, results in abnormal bone development. At this time, effectively supplementing vitamin D, engaging in appropriate outdoor activities, and receiving ample sunlight can treat rickets in children. However, there are some special cases, such as significant abnormalities in liver or kidney function, where treatment should be targeted based on the cause of the condition. In addition, some congenital genetic abnormalities causing disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism can make treatment more challenging. Therefore, the treatment of rickets should be based on specific conditions. Generally, if it is simply a case of nutritional deficiency of vitamin D, the treatment outcome is quite favorable and the condition is considered self-limiting. Thus, if a vitamin D deficiency is detected, it is important to supplement promptly to prevent further abnormal bone development.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 22sec home-news-image

Can rickets be treated?

Rickets is a disorder caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, leading to impaired calcium and phosphorus absorption, which then results in abnormal skeletal development. It is a chronic nutritional disease. Generally, the rickets commonly mentioned is due to nutritional vitamin D deficiency, which is treatable. Typically, encouraging children to engage in appropriate physical activities while supplementing with an adequate level of vitamin D can effectively control the disease, and it can even be cured. However, if there are special circumstances, such as significant liver abnormalities, renal function abnormalities, renal failure, or abnormalities in the thyroid or parathyroid glands, including parathyroid tumors, or congenital hereditary diseases, the treatment needs to be based on the cause in order to effectively control the disease and promote normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. Congenital hereditary diseases generally make treatment more challenging. Therefore, it is crucial for children with rickets to seek timely medical examination at a hospital. If it is a common case of nutritional vitamin D deficiency, parents should supplement vitamin D promptly according to the doctor's advice for treatment.