Rickets lack what vitamin

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on April 19, 2025
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Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by bone lesions, caused by insufficient vitamin D in a child's body, leading to disrupted calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Typically, it is evident in the incomplete mineralization of the growing long bones' metaphyseal ends and bone tissue, resulting in the softening or deformation of the bones. All children, including full-term infants after two weeks, premature infants, twins, and low birth weight infants after one week, should start supplementing with vitamin D. This is because the content of vitamin D in foods, such as breast milk or various infant formulas, is not sufficient to meet the needs of children. Therefore, a lack of timely vitamin D supplementation after birth can lead to a deficiency and consequently rickets, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin D. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not medicate blindly.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Rickets is caused by a deficiency of what element?

Rickets is a systemic chronic nutritional disease caused by vitamin D deficiency leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which results in abnormal bone development. The main cause is a lack of vitamin D, generally related to feeding methods, the addition of cod liver oil, living environment, outdoor activity time, repeated respiratory infections, calcium deficiency during pregnancy, and the season of birth. It is generally recommended to routinely supplement vitamin D and cod liver oil after birth, have regular follow-ups, engage in appropriate outdoor activities, and during pregnancy, it is important to supplement with adequate calcium and vitamin D. Additionally, attention should be paid to children who have repeated respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, as these can also affect the absorption of vitamin D and calcium and phosphorus. Thus, it is vital to actively prevent other diseases that may affect the absorption of vitamin D and to treat illnesses proactively when they occur.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What are the symptoms of rickets?

The condition generally referred to as rickets is most commonly nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets, a type of nutritional disease that is prevalent among infants and young children, particularly very young babies. It primarily manifests as changes in the bones where growth is most rapid and can also affect muscle development and changes in nervous excitability. Initially, especially within the first three months, symptoms in very young infants typically include increased nervous excitability, such as crying easily, excessive head sweating, and as a result of the sweating, frequent head shaking, irritability, restlessness, and noticeable crying and restlessness at night. These symptoms at this stage are not necessarily indicative of typical rickets. As the condition progresses, changes in the skeleton gradually become apparent. In infants under six months with rickets, the changes are mainly in the skull, typically feeling like pressing on a ping-pong ball. After six months of age, the head shape becomes squared or box-like, and the head circumference is larger than normal. Later, the characteristic beading changes of rickets appear, with beaded protrusions above the ribs, followed by the formation of blunt, circular raised areas at the wrists and ankles, referred to as wrist and ankle bracelets. Around the age of one, infants may develop a deformity resembling pigeon chest. As the child begins to stand and walk, the weight bearing on the lower limbs may lead to deformities, such as bowlegs or knock-knees, and sometimes even K-shaped deformities of the legs, and some might develop spinal deformities.

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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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How is rickets diagnosed?

Rickets is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal changes, resulting from insufficient Vitamin D in children, which leads to disruptions in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Diagnosis of rickets requires a measure of Vitamin D levels, clinical manifestations, certain biochemical markers in blood, and skeletal X-ray findings. Typically, Vitamin D levels are significantly lower than usual, with the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 being the most reliable diagnostic standard. However, many facilities are unable to perform this test, so some instead rely on blood biochemistry and skeletal X-rays. Currently, blood biochemistry and skeletal X-ray examinations are considered the gold standard for diagnosis.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Can people with rickets swim?

Rickets is a metabolic disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, and its clinical manifestations primarily include symptoms in infants such as a square skull, night sweats, pigeon chest, eversion of the rib cage, as well as bowlegs or knock-knees. Severe cases can lead to skeletal deformities in the chest and developmental disorders. Therefore, for the treatment of children with rickets, it is necessary to intake vitamin D and calcium to promote bone development. Swimming is also a form of exercise that can enhance the absorption of calcium by the bones, which can help prevent the progression of rickets. It is also important to engage in outdoor activities and expose to sunlight, as vitamin D can be synthesized through sun exposure, effectively supplementing it. If a child's symptoms of rickets are relatively severe, it is advisable to take the child to a specialist hospital for a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test and supplement vitamin D based on the specific results.