Will rickets lead to hunchback when grown up?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on March 16, 2025
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Rickets generally does not result in hunchback when one grows up, as rickets is a disease caused by a vitamin D deficiency leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. If not cured before development is completed, it often leaves sequelae such as square skull, Harrison's groove, beaded ribs, as well as bow legs, knock knees, and pigeon chest. However, hunchback is mainly caused by developmental deformities of the thoracic and lumbar spine, and is not greatly related to a lack of vitamin D. However, it is also important to note that a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, and if one does not maintain proper posture in daily life, such as bending the back while sitting, standing, or walking and not being able to stand straight, it may eventually lead to pathological curvature of the spine and thoracic vertebrae. Therefore, in daily life, it is still important to be conscious of using one’s lumbar and thoracic spine correctly to avoid developing a hunchback over time.

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Is pillow baldness rickets?

Balding at the back of the head is a common clinical manifestation of rickets, but it does not mean that balding at the back of the head is equivalent to rickets, as there are many causes for this condition. In children with rickets, due to a lack of vitamin D leading to calcium deficiency, their neural excitability increases, which can affect the baby's sleep and cause restless sleep leading to balding at the back of the head. However, children who are in poor nutritional condition might also experience deficiencies in trace elements, such as a lack of zinc or iron, which can also lead to sleep disturbances and balding at the back of the head, indicating that the cause may not necessarily be rickets. Additionally, a small number of children might have an inherent condition of increased neural excitability that affects sleep, leading to balding at the back of the head, which also isn't due to rickets. Therefore, if balding at the back of the head occurs, it is advisable to visit a hospital’s pediatric healthcare department or pediatric outpatient clinic for a consultation and check-up, to actively treat and manage based on the underlying cause.

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Can rickets be vaccinated against?

Children with rickets can be vaccinated, as rickets is not listed among the contraindications for vaccination. Rickets is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, a nutritional issue. Once diagnosed with rickets, it is essential to treat the child promptly by supplementing vitamin D. Generally, if treated early during infancy, rickets can be cured. To prevent rickets, all children should supplement with the physiological requirement of vitamin D from birth, engage in outdoor activities, and get ample sunlight to thoroughly prevent the occurrence of rickets. Rickets does not affect the administration of vaccines, nor does vaccination exacerbate the symptoms of rickets. Therefore, it is clear that children with rickets can be vaccinated.

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The main manifestations of rickets in the early stage

Rickets generally refers to vitamin D deficiency rickets, mainly due to insufficient vitamin D in children, leading to calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders. It is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal lesions. The main manifestations are changes in the fastest growing parts of the skeleton, which can also affect muscle development and changes in neural excitability. The initial symptoms of rickets are common in infants, especially those under three months old. The main symptom is increased neural excitability; the child is particularly prone to being agitated, irritable, crying, sweating, and shaking their head due to scalp stimulation, but these are not specific symptoms of rickets. Therefore, blood tests are still necessary in the early stages, showing decreased levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, blood calcium, and blood phosphate, increased PTH, normal or slightly elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, and normal or slightly blurry calcification zones in skeletal X-rays. These are the early manifestations of rickets.

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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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How to prevent skeletal deformities in rickets

Rickets is mainly caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. Therefore, within half a month after a child's birth, a preventive dose of oral vitamin D should be administered. Continue breastfeeding, allow the baby to get plenty of sunlight when the weather is warm, and timely introduce calcium-rich supplementary foods. In the early and active stages of rickets, appropriate supplementation with calcium and vitamin D can prevent the occurrence of skeletal deformities caused by the disease.