Pediatric Rickets

Rickets is a condition that affects bone development in children. It causes bone pain, poor growth and soft, weak bones that can lead to bone deformities.
Adults can experience a similar condition, which is known as osteomalacia or soft bones.
Read more about the signs and symptoms of rickets and osteomalacia.

Causes

A lack of vitamin D or calcium is the most common cause of rickets. Vitamin D largely comes from exposing the skin to sunlight, but it's also found in some foods, such as oily fish and eggs. Vitamin D is essential for the formation of strong and healthy bones in children.
In rare cases, children can be born with a genetic form of rickets. It can also develop if another condition affects how vitamins and minerals are absorbed by the body.

Who's affected?

Rickets was common in the past, but it mostly disappeared in the western world during the early 20th century after foods like margarine and cereal were fortified with vitamin D.

Vitamin 'D' deficiency rickets
Calcipenic Rickets
Phosphopenic Rickets (Usely Inherit)