Which department should I go to for rickets?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on April 01, 2025
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Rickets is a nutritional disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and resulting in abnormal bone development. During the early and active stages, the X-ray shows no obvious abnormalities in bone development; it is primarily a conceptual metabolic disorder along with low levels of vitamin D. At this time, it is advisable to consult an endocrinology department. If there are sequelae and mild to moderate sequelae, rehabilitation methods are needed for correction, and at this point, a rehabilitation department should be consulted. If there are severe skeletal deformities, surgical correction may be necessary, and at this time, an orthopedic department should be consulted.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 26sec home-news-image

Can rickets be cured?

The rickets we commonly talk about is nutritional Vitamin D deficiency rickets, which is due to a deficiency of Vitamin D in the body leading to a disorder of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. This results in a systemic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal lesions. If rickets is caused by insufficient intake, it can be self-healing and is a self-limiting disease. Once infants and young children spend enough time outdoors and receive physiological doses of Vitamin D treatment, rickets can be treated. However, treatment becomes significantly challenging in cases of congenital developmental abnormalities causing skeletal lesions, or any genetic diseases that lead to Vitamin D absorption disorders. Such cases often result in severe complications, including prominent kidney dysfunction leading to further disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, as well as liver function abnormalities causing Vitamin D synthesis disorders. Therefore, it is important to understand the specific causes of Vitamin D deficiency in children, and if the deficiency is due to common reasons that can be promptly controlled, then supplementation with Vitamin D and trace elements like calcium can effectively treat the condition.

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Written by Liu Li
Pediatrics
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Can rickets in a 1-year-old baby be cured?

Can rickets in a one-year-old baby be cured? It is advised that parents should first take the baby to a reputable pediatric hospital for a detailed examination. Treatment should be based on the results of the examination. Generally, under normal circumstances, such problems in children are caused by a lack of calcium leading to rickets. With treatment from a doctor, they generally recover completely. Parents can give their child calcium supplements, along with some vitamin D, and ensure the child gets plenty of sunlight exposure. If there is severe joint deformity, surgical treatment along with rehabilitation exercises may be necessary.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Treatment of Rickets

Rickets is a nutritional metabolic disease caused by a lack of vitamin D, which also involves changes in the bones. Once rickets is definitively diagnosed, it is essential to start aggressive treatment. Treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a hospital doctor with high doses of vitamin D, while also appropriately supplementing the child with calcium. It's necessary to regularly draw blood to test for vitamin D levels and to monitor the improvement of various indicators in the child. When vitamin D levels have fully normalized, there will no longer be a need to administer high doses of vitamin D to the child, and the dosage can be adjusted to the physiological requirement. Additionally, it is crucial to increase the child’s outdoor activities and exposure to sunlight, as this is very helpful for the treatment and recovery of rickets. (For specific medication use, please follow the guidance of a doctor and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 18sec home-news-image

Can rickets be cured?

Rickets is a chronic nutritional disease caused by vitamin D deficiency that leads to disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, causing abnormal skeletal development. If a square skull is observed, it indicates that the child's disease has entered an active phase. Generally, in the early stages, there is an enlargement of the fontanelle or a delay in the closure of the fontanelle. By seven to eight months, a square skull can appear, primarily characterized by outward bulging centered on the frontal and parietal bones. At this time, it is generally necessary to administer a sufficient dose of vitamin D and encourage appropriate outdoor activities. Depending on the child's condition, it might be appropriate to supplement with calcium as well. Gradually, this should be curable; however, if there are other special causes for the abnormal vitamin D levels, such as severe liver or kidney disease or some new genetic diseases causing square skull, the treatment might be more challenging.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How should children with rickets supplement calcium?

Rickets is a nutritional disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, which results in abnormal bone development. It is mainly due to a lack of vitamin D, so the primary treatment is supplementing with vitamin D. Dairy is a reliable source of calcium nutrition for infants, and generally, it is not necessary to supplement calcium for the treatment of rickets; attention should be paid to supplementing with vitamin D according to the severity of the condition, and spending more time in the sun. For children who have started eating complementary foods, or older children, it is generally recommended to fully supplement vitamin D levels, spend more time in the sun during summer, and consume high-protein nutrients. Additionally, eating more vegetables and appropriately supplementing with calcium supplements in the winter is advised. The dosage should be based on the child's internal levels of calcium and phosphorus, with calcium supplementation adjusted accordingly.