The reason it's called rickets is because the word rickets originates from the German word “wricken” which translates to “twisted.
Rickets is a disease of children that is caused by vitamin D deficiency, characterized by imperfect calcification, softening, and distortion of the bones typically resulting in bow legs.
Vitamin D promotes the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
Extreme or prolonged lack of vitamin D makes it difficult to maintain proper calcium and phosphorus levels in bones, which can cause rickets.
Symptoms of rickets include delayed growth, bow legs, weakness, and pain in the spine, pelvis, and legs.
Treatment for rickets may involve adding vitamin D or calcium to the diet, medications, or possibly surgery.
Because rickets softens the areas of growing tissue at the ends of a child's bones (growth plates), it can cause skeletal deformities such as: Bowed legs or knock knees.
Thickened wrists and ankles.
Symptoms of rickets include.
Delayed growth.
Delayed motor skills.
Pain in the spine, pelvis and legs.
Muscle weakness.
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.
Most cases of rickets can be treated with vitamin D and calcium supplements.
Follow your child's doctor's directions as to dosage.
Too much vitamin D can be harmful.
Your child's doctor will monitor your child's progress with X-rays and blood tests.