Rickets is a bone disease that occurs mostly in children. It may be caused by a lack of calcium, phosphate, or vitamin D. Rickets also may be caused by the inability of the body to use those substances properly. In rickets, bones are so soft they bend into abnormal shapes and may develop bumps called knobs. Rickets results in conditions called rosary ribs, knobbed forehead, and funnel chest. As the child grows, bones harden, but the abnormal shape usually remains. In severe rickets, bones may be so deformed a child’s normal height is greatly reduced. Symptoms of rickets are sweating, weakness, pain in the bones, general body tenderness, and misshapen bones.
Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D usually prevents rickets. Milk and green vegetables are good sources of calcium. The best sources of vitamin D include vitamin-D enriched milk, sunlight, and fish oils.
Rickets in children usually can be stopped by supplying them with plenty of vitamin D and calcium. A disease similar to rickets occurs in adults and is called osteomalacia.
