What happens if rickets is not treated

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Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Aug 15, Issue. Am Fam Physician. What is rickets? What causes rickets? What are the symptoms of rickets? How can I tell if my child has rickets? How is rickets treated? How can I keep my child from getting nutritional rickets? When this occurs, your body produces hormones that cause calcium and phosphate to be released from your bones. When your bones lack these minerals, they become weak and soft.

Rickets is most common in children who are between 6 and 36 months old. In some cases, the condition is hereditary. Rickets is rare in the United States. Rickets used to be more common, but it mostly disappeared in developed countries during the s due to the introduction of fortified foods, such as cereals with added vitamin D. During this time period, children usually experience rapid growth.

This is when their bodies need the most calcium and phosphate to strengthen and develop their bones. Infants who are only fed breast milk can become deficient in vitamin D as well. Children of African, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern descent are at the highest risk for rickets because they have dark skin. One form of rickets can be inherited. This means that the disorder is passed down through your genes.

This type of rickets, called hereditary rickets, prevents your kidneys from absorbing phosphate. Call your doctor right away if your child is showing signs of rickets. Deformities can also become permanent if the disorder goes untreated. Your doctor may be able to diagnose rickets by performing a physical examination.

They will check for tenderness or pain in the bones by lightly pressing on them. Your child will be referred to see a specialist urgently. The specialist will have your child undertake blood tests to check vitamin D, calcium balance, phosphate, kidney function, and bone turnover , urine tests and X-rays. Although rickets is usually caused by low vitamin D, most children with low vitamin D do not get rickets. Rickets is more likely in babies and children who also have low dairy intake, and in babies who breastfeed for a long time without starting solid foods at the normal age around four to six months.

Including foods with vitamin D in your child's diet may help prevent rickets. Foods with vitamin D include fresh fatty fish e. Some foods have vitamin D added, such as margarine and some breakfast cereals or dairy products. However, foods only provide a small amount 10 per cent or less of daily vitamin D needs for most people in Australia, and safely spending enough time in the sun is the best way to prevent low vitamin D.

See our fact sheet Vitamin D. Children with dark skin who live in the southern parts of Australia should have extra vitamin D supplements during winter. Regular follow-up with a paediatrician is needed to ensure that healthy levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphate are maintained. You child will have:. If my child has bow legs, will they straighten up once she is getting more vitamin D?

Usually, within three months of treatment, an improvement in bone health and shape are visible on X-rays. With medical treatment alone, most bow legs improve dramatically and surgery is not necessary. One example is celiac disease. Rickets also can run in families, and children can inherit it. How is rickets diagnosed? Can rickets be prevented or avoided? Treatment Treatment depends on the type of rickets your child has.

Living with rickets Most cases of rickets go away once your child gets enough vitamin D. Does my child need a vitamin D or calcium supplement? If so, for how long do they need to take it? What can I do at home to make sure my child gets enough vitamin D?

Is it safe to let my child be in the sun without sunscreen? What are the possible complications of rickets? Is my child at risk of any long-term health problems?

Last Updated: August 28, This article was contributed by: familydoctor. Tags: bone , craniotabes , deficiency , deformity , disturbance , fracture , groove , growth , hypocalcemia , infantile , juvenile osteomalacia , nutritional , osteoid , rachitic , rachitis , Rickets , rosary , skeletal , tetany.

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