Early symptoms of rickets

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Rickets is a chronic systemic nutritional disease caused by insufficient vitamin D in the body, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, characterized by skeletal lesions, typically presenting as incomplete mineralization of the long bones' growth plates and bone tissue. In the early stages of rickets, skeletal development abnormalities are not very obvious. Infants under three months often exhibit signs of increased neural excitability, such as being prone to crying, sweating easily, and potentially frequent head shaking; however, these symptoms are not necessarily specific to rickets. Generally, at this time, there are no obvious abnormalities in skeletal development, and X-rays of the bones are normal. The focus is on vitamin levels, specifically decreased serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, as well as reduced blood calcium and phosphorus levels. Therefore, early symptoms are not so typical. It is recommended that children regularly visit pediatric clinics for physical examinations to assess their development and, if necessary, undergo trace element and vitamin D level checks.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 25sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of rickets

Rickets is a chronic systemic nutritional disease caused by insufficient vitamin D in the body, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, characterized by skeletal lesions, typically presenting as incomplete mineralization of the long bones' growth plates and bone tissue. In the early stages of rickets, skeletal development abnormalities are not very obvious. Infants under three months often exhibit signs of increased neural excitability, such as being prone to crying, sweating easily, and potentially frequent head shaking; however, these symptoms are not necessarily specific to rickets. Generally, at this time, there are no obvious abnormalities in skeletal development, and X-rays of the bones are normal. The focus is on vitamin levels, specifically decreased serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, as well as reduced blood calcium and phosphorus levels. Therefore, early symptoms are not so typical. It is recommended that children regularly visit pediatric clinics for physical examinations to assess their development and, if necessary, undergo trace element and vitamin D level checks.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How to treat rickets in a 2-year-old baby?

Rickets in two-year-old infants is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D leading to a disturbance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, resulting in abnormal skeletal development. This class of systemic, chronic, nutritional diseases typically manifests in two-year-olds who are able to walk and stand. Due to the force of gravity, lower limb deformities may develop, leading to bowlegs or knock-knees, and possibly even a 'K'-shaped limb deformity. The spine may also develop kyphosis or scoliosis. Around the age of two, it is generally the residual stage of the disease, which often does not require pharmacological treatment. For mild to moderate cases, physical exercise should be enhanced, and active or passive rehabilitation methods should be used to correct skeletal deformities. It is recommended to seek treatment in the pediatric rehabilitation department; severe skeletal deformities may require surgical correction.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Should I take vitamin D or D3 for rickets?

Rickets should be treated with D3, but strictly speaking, what we commonly refer to as vitamin D is D3, just phrased differently. Vitamin D3 helps promote the absorption of calcium by bones, preventing the occurrence of rickets symptoms. The main clinical manifestations of rickets appear in the deformation of bones, such as square skull, pigeon chest, flaring ribs, X-shaped legs, O-shaped legs, and other changes in bone status. The nervous system can show symptoms such as night sweats, nervous excitability, balding at the back of the head, poor sleep quality, and easiness to cry. For rickets, it is necessary to diagnose early, timely supplement with vitamin D to prevent symptoms from worsening, and also to get more sunlight and engage in outdoor activities, which helps the body synthesize vitamin D and absorb calcium.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 24sec home-news-image

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.

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

Early symptoms of rickets

Rickets is a chronic nutritional disease primarily caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D, which leads to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, resulting in abnormal bone development. It is mostly seen in infants, especially common within the first six months, and particularly in babies younger than three months. Clinically, the symptoms are not very specific; the children may appear irritable and restless, they might cry suddenly, or become agitated and restless to the touch. Some children may exhibit excessive sweating, frequent head shaking, or even hair loss, leading to noticeable baldness at the back of the head. However, these symptoms are not very specific. Generally, blood biochemistry and Vitamin D levels need to be tested. Early X-ray findings of the bones can be normal.