Rickets

Rickets is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by lack of vitamin D. Rickets causes soft bones because vitamin D is not present to assist in calcium and phosphate uptake. Vitamin D is synthesised in the body on exposure to ultraviolet light and is supplemented in milk products. Some people who do not get enough sun exposure, milk products or green vegetable?s may develop the disease although this is rare today. Hereditary rickets is caused by an inherted defect which prevents the kidney from retaining phosphate. Rickets can also be caused by some other kidney and liver diseases.

Rickets causes bone pain, slowed growth in children, dental problems, muscle loss and increased risk of fractures. The classic image of advanced rickets sufferers is of bow legs and a deformed chest and skull.

Treatment involves increasing dietary intake of calcium, phosphate and vitamin D.