What department should I go to for rickets?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Rickets, called nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic systemic nutritional disease characterized by bone lesions, caused by a lack of vitamin D in children's bodies leading to disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Its typical manifestations are inadequate mineralization of the growing long bone shafts and bone tissue. In early-stage rickets, there are no obvious skeletal changes, primarily characterized by low levels of vitamin D and abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism, in which case consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist is advised. If evident skeletal deformities like pigeon chest, X-shaped legs, or O-shaped legs have already developed, corrective treatment is necessary, and an orthopedic consultation is required.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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The difference between rickets and rib flare

Rickets and rib flaring are different; rib flaring can be considered a symptom of rickets. Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in infants and children, leading to abnormal metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, which results in incomplete calcification and softening of the bones, thereby causing skeletal deformities. Rickets can be divided into initial, active, recovery, and sequelae stages. During the active stage of rickets, skeletal deformities such as softened skull, "ping pong" head, square skull, rib flaring, pigeon chest, funnel chest, X-shaped legs, and O-shaped legs are prone to occur.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Rickets is a disease that affects bone development in children due to vitamin D deficiency, calcium, or phosphate. It is treatable with proper nutrition and supplementation.

Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is caused by a lack of vitamin D, leading to abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. The calcium salts cannot be properly deposited in the growing parts of the skeleton, causing incomplete mineralization of the bone tissue during growth. This results in a chronic systemic nutritional disease closely related to lifestyle, characterized by skeletal abnormalities. The most common is nutritional vitamin D deficiency, which is self-limiting. Typically, sufficient vitamin D supplementation and appropriate sun exposure can cure it. If caused by other severe diseases, vitamin D deficiency will significantly manifest liver and kidney function abnormalities. Additionally, some congenital genetic diseases make treatment more difficult when vitamin D levels are deficient.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Rickets Causes

Rickets, fully termed as nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic systemic nutritional disease characterized by epiphyseal lesions, caused by insufficient vitamin D in children, leading to disordered calcium and phosphate metabolism. The main causes of the disease include insufficient perinatal vitamin D, particularly during the prenatal and postnatal periods, as well as factors like severe maternal malnutrition, liver and kidney diseases, chronic diarrhea, prematurity, and having twins, which may lead to inadequate levels of vitamin D storage in the body. Additionally, insufficient sunlight exposure, such as children spending prolonged periods indoors, blocks sunlight, as ultraviolet rays cannot pass through glass. Ultraviolet light aids in the synthesis of endogenous vitamin D; lack of exposure can also reduce vitamin D levels. Another factor is rapid growth rates, and fourthly, insufficient dietary supplementation of vitamin D along with some diseases that affect the absorption of vitamin D, like gastrointestinal or liver and biliary diseases.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What department should I see for rickets?

Rickets is a nutritional disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, which leads to a disorder of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and consequently abnormal bone development. In the early and active stages of rickets, the main symptoms are low levels of vitamin D and disordered calcium and phosphorus metabolism. At this stage, bone development abnormalities may not be clearly noticeable, so it is recommended to consult an endocrinology department. During the residual stage, when skeletal deformities appear, rehabilitation treatment is necessary, and consultation with a pediatric rehabilitation department is advisable. Severe skeletal deformities may require surgical correction, necessitating consultation with an orthopedic department.

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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.