Can rickets be cured?

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

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What department should I go to for rickets?

Rickets, called nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic systemic nutritional disease characterized by bone lesions, caused by a lack of vitamin D in children's bodies leading to disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Its typical manifestations are inadequate mineralization of the growing long bone shafts and bone tissue. In early-stage rickets, there are no obvious skeletal changes, primarily characterized by low levels of vitamin D and abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism, in which case consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist is advised. If evident skeletal deformities like pigeon chest, X-shaped legs, or O-shaped legs have already developed, corrective treatment is necessary, and an orthopedic consultation is required.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What are the symptoms of rickets?

The condition generally referred to as rickets is most commonly nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, a type of nutritional disease that is prevalent among infants and young children, particularly very young babies. It primarily manifests as changes in the bones where growth is most rapid and can also affect muscle development and changes in nervous excitability. Initially, especially within the first three months, symptoms in very young infants typically include increased nervous excitability, such as crying easily, excessive head sweating, and as a result of the sweating, frequent head shaking, irritability, restlessness, and noticeable crying and restlessness at night. These symptoms at this stage are not necessarily indicative of typical rickets. As the condition progresses, changes in the skeleton gradually become apparent. In infants under six months with rickets, the changes are mainly in the skull, typically feeling like pressing on a ping-pong ball. After six months of age, the head shape becomes squared or box-like, and the head circumference is larger than normal. Later, the characteristic beading changes of rickets appear, with beaded protrusions above the ribs, followed by the formation of blunt, circular raised areas at the wrists and ankles, referred to as wrist and ankle bracelets. Around the age of one, infants may develop a deformity resembling pigeon chest. As the child begins to stand and walk, the weight bearing on the lower limbs may lead to deformities, such as bowlegs or knock-knees, and sometimes even K-shaped deformities of the legs, and some might develop spinal deformities.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Can rickets with rib eversion in babies be cured?

Babies with rib flaring can be treated, but it requires assessment based on relevant clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. First, it is necessary to understand that rickets is a metabolic bone disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, which often results not only in rib flaring but also in square skull, pigeon chest, and either bowlegs or knock-knees. Neurologically, symptoms may include night sweats, easy startling during sleep, and poor sleep quality. When these conditions occur, a physical examination by a specialist is essential, along with comprehensive tests, including measuring the specific levels of vitamin D, and selecting appropriate vitamin D supplements. If the symptoms of rib flaring are severe and accompanied by a noticeable pigeon chest, orthotic supports may also be necessary for correction. If rib flaring affects normal breathing, severe cases may require surgical treatment. Therefore, the extent of severity based on clinical symptoms will dictate the treatment approach—whether it is oral medication, orthotic correction, or surgery.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Early manifestations of rickets

Rickets is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin D, which leads to a disorder in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, resulting in abnormal bone development. It primarily appears in the early stages in infants within six months old, and particularly within three months after birth. The initial presentation is an increase in nervous excitability, such as fussiness and unease in children, symptoms like excessive internal heat and sweating, especially more sweat on the head. Continuous sweating can lead to significant baldness at the back of the head. Sometimes, children may exhibit constant head shaking, but these are not very specific symptoms. Early detection involves decreased blood calcium and phosphorus levels, increased parathyroid hormone levels, and decreased levels of related markers in blood tests. Early bone X-rays appear normal, so initial symptoms are not so typical. Therefore, it is recommended that infants be taken to a pediatrician for a physical examination as soon as possible, where their developmental status can be assessed and rickets can be diagnosed. If it is early-stage vitamin D deficiency rickets, timely supplementation of vitamin D levels can be an effective cure.