What is rickets?

Rickets is a bone problem that affects children.  It happens when your child’s bones do not form correctly.  Rickets can make your children’s bones hurt, and the bones can bend and break easily. 

What causes rickets?

Children can inherit rickets from a parent.  Sometimes it relates to what your child eats.  This is called nutritional rickets.  It can happen when your child doesn’t get enough vitamin D and calcium to make strong bones.  The body also needs sunlight to make vitamin D.  If your child has dark skin or does not spend much time in the sun, he or she may get rickets.

If your child was born early (premature) or has certain illnesses, such as kidney or intestinal disease, he or she has a higher risk of getting rickets.

What are the symptoms of rickets?

Young babies with rickets can be fussy and have soft skulls. Infants and toddlers may not develop, walk, or grow well. Older children may have bone pain and bowed legs, or their wrists and knees may get wider. Other physical findings that can be found in patients with rickets include:  stunted growth, large forehead, an odd curve to the spine and back, odd-shaped ribs and breastbones, large abdomen, odd-shaped legs, wide ankles, and wide bones. 

How can I tell if my child has rickets?

Your doctor will ask about your family health history and your child’s health and diet. Your child will need a full physical examination. Blood tests and x-rays of the arms or legs can help your doctor tell if your child has rickets.

How is rickets treated?

Treatment depends on the type of rickets that your child has. Your doctor will find out why your child has rickets and treat the cause. Nutritional rickets is treated with vitamin D and calcium. If your child has inherited rickets or has an illness causing the problem, a doctor who specializes in rickets may need to help. 

How can I keep my child from getting nutritional rickets?

Be sure your child gets enough vitamin D and calcium.  Your doctor should tell you if your child needs extra vitamin D or calcium.  If you have a young baby whose only food is breast milk, your doctor should prescribe additional vitamin D.  If your baby gets less than 16 or 18 ounces of formula per day, he or she will need extra vitamin D also. 

 Your doctor can also tell you if your older child needs more vitamin D or calcium.  Your doctor will tell you about how much time in the sun is safe for your child. Remember that too much sun too fast (like a blistering sunburn) can significantly increase the chances of developing a malignant melanoma (a type of bad skin cancer) in one’s lifetime.  To make sure your child getting enough vitamin D; you should feed your older child foods that are high in calcium, such as skim milk, cheese, yogurt and salad greens.

Where can I get more information?