Rickets Health Article

Treatment

The treatment goals are to relieve symptoms and correct the cause of the condition. The underlying cause must be treated to prevent recurrence.

The replacement of deficient calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D will eliminate most symptoms of rickets. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fish, liver, and processed milk. Exposure to moderate amounts of sunlight is encouraged. Treating rickets caused by metabolic abnormalities may require a special prescription for vitamin D.

Positioning or bracing may be used to reduce or prevent deformities. Some skeletal deformities may require corrective surgery.

Expectations (prognosis)

The disorder may be corrected with replacement of deficient minerals and vitamin D. Laboratory values and x-rays usually improve after about 1 week, although some cases may be resistant and require large doses of minerals and vitamin D.

If rickets is not corrected while children are still growing, skeletal deformities and short stature may be permanent. If it is corrected while the child is young, skeletal deformities often diminish or disappear with time.

Complications

• Chronic skeletal pain
• Skeletal deformities
• Skeletal fractures, may occur without cause

Calling your health care provider

Call your child's health care provider if you notice symptoms of rickets.

Prevention

Rickets may be avoided by having your child maintain an adequate intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. This may require dietary supplements in people who have gastrointestinal or other disorders -- ask your child's health care provider.

Renal (kidney) causes of vitamin D malabsorption should be treated promptly. Levels of calcium and phosphorus should be monitored regularly in people who have renal disorders.

Genetic counseling may help people with a family history of inherited disorders that can cause rickets.