How is rickets treated with injections?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on October 28, 2024
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Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal lesions, caused by insufficient vitamin D in children, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The typical manifestation of rickets is incomplete mineralization of the growing long bone epiphyses and bone tissue, presenting as bone softening or deformity. Once rickets is diagnosed, it must be treated aggressively. First, children are given high doses of vitamin D, either orally or through intramuscular injection, with a common practice of administering a single dose of 300,000 units of vitamin D intramuscularly. A month later, a blood sample is taken to measure the vitamin D content; if it is below normal, treatment must continue; if it is within the normal range, it is only necessary to supplement the daily physiological requirement of vitamin D for the child. (Specific medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
1min 12sec home-news-image

The difference between rickets and dwarfism.

Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in infants and young children, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and resulting in skeletal abnormalities as a characteristic of this chronic nutritional disease. Typical symptoms can include changes in the bones, especially in the fastest growing parts of the skeleton, and can affect muscle development and changes in neural excitability. Symptoms such as a "ping pong ball" head, square skull, pigeon chest, funnel chest, and eversion of the rib margins are also observed. Diagnosis is made through examinations such as vitamin D levels and skeletal X-rays. Dwarfism, on the other hand, is a growth disorder caused by a deficiency of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland before puberty. Its clinical manifestations are primarily growth disturbances, characterized by a short, proportionate stature. Adults with this condition often retain a child-like appearance, and their bone development is delayed with bone age younger than their chronological age. Intellect corresponds to their age, and sexual development may also be disrupted.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Is a square skull definitely rickets?

Square skull is not necessarily rickets; square skull can be seen in rickets and congenital syphilis, especially common in rickets. It is often seen in children with rickets older than 8-9 months, due to a lack of calcium in the bones which leads to inadequate bone deposition and calcification. Under the periosteum of the child's frontal bone, parietal bone, and occipital bone, a large amount of osteoid deposition forms the square skull. Therefore, while square skull is not necessarily indicative of rickets, it is a common manifestation in rickets.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What are the early symptoms of rickets?

The early symptoms of rickets are mainly due to the inadequate intake of vitamin D in children, leading to disturbances in the body's calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Early signs usually appear around three months of age in infants, characterized by changes in mental state, restless sleep, frequent crying, and excessive sweating. Increased sweating is often accompanied by cradle cap, where circular bald patches appear on the back of the head. In such cases, it is important to include vitamin D-rich foods in the diet and supplement with vitamin D. Continued breastfeeding, engaging in outdoor activities, and exposure to sunlight are recommended to promote the body’s own synthesis of vitamin D. Regular physical examinations are also advised, and if symptoms of rickets occur, an appropriate increase in vitamin D intake may be necessary.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 11sec home-news-image

How is rickets treated with injections?

Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal lesions, caused by insufficient vitamin D in children, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The typical manifestation of rickets is incomplete mineralization of the growing long bone epiphyses and bone tissue, presenting as bone softening or deformity. Once rickets is diagnosed, it must be treated aggressively. First, children are given high doses of vitamin D, either orally or through intramuscular injection, with a common practice of administering a single dose of 300,000 units of vitamin D intramuscularly. A month later, a blood sample is taken to measure the vitamin D content; if it is below normal, treatment must continue; if it is within the normal range, it is only necessary to supplement the daily physiological requirement of vitamin D for the child. (Specific medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)