Rickets is mostly caused by a vitamin D deficiency in the body. Lack of treatment of this disease leads to various types of deformities in the bones (limbs, spine), spondylolisthesis and visible valgus.
Rickets is a preventable disease, it is sufficient for the body to have an adequate supply of vitamin D3. If we do not know how to dose this vitamin to our child, it is essential to consult a doctor.
What is rickets and where does it occur in children?
Vitamin D3 has many very important functions in our body, including strengthening the immune system, building bone tissue, increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and strengthening the nervous system. Its deficiencies can cause various diseases in infants and in older children. The most common incidence is between three months and two years of age. Admittedly, it can also occur in adults (in which case we speak of osteoporosis). In the case of rickets in children, there is a deficiency of vitamin D3, calcium and also a reduced amount of minerals in the bones. As a consequence, the bones become soft and very susceptible to injury. It is also worth mentioning dietary phosphate deficiencies, which can also cause rickets.
Production of vitamin D by our body and products containing it
Our body is able to produce vitamin D3 on its own if it has the help of sunlight. Infants are mostly prescribed vitamin D3 in drops (this should always be administered as recommended by a specialist). For larger children, it is simpler to take a short walk every day in order to get the right dose of this vitamin (the same applies to adults).
Vitamin D3 is also present in a variety of foods such as eggs, dairy products and sea fish. At this point, it is important to stress that both vitamin D3 deficiency and excess in the body are very bad for the body.
photo: panthermedia
Children suffering from rickets have very poorly calcified bones (they are soft and spongy). They tend to bend, e.g. when a toddler tries to stand on their feet. Other symptoms include stunted growth, the appearance of frontal lumps and the slow overgrowth of the fontanel. The symptoms of this disease are many and are individual to each patient. It is diagnosed not only on the basis of observation of the patient but also after biochemical tests and X-rays of the bones.
For the treatment of rickets, vitamin D3 is used in appropriate amounts.
