What vitamin is deficient in rickets?
Oct 12, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Rickets is primarily caused by vitamin D deficiency, and this condition is also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets. Rickets mostly occurs in infants under six months of age. The disease results from insufficient vitamin D in the body, leading to abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which prevents calcium salts from depositing properly in the bones. Factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency mainly include improper infant feeding, failure to timely supplement cod liver oil, inadequate outdoor activity, and recurrent respiratory infections.
Rickets is primarily caused by vitamin D deficiency; therefore, this condition is also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets.
Rickets usually occurs in infants under six months of age. It results from insufficient vitamin D in the body, leading to abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism. This prevents calcium salts from depositing properly in the bones, causing defective bone mineralization. Consequently, symptoms such as bone softening, poor bone development, bony overgrowths, and skeletal deformities may develop. In the early stages, common signs include excessive sweating,枕秃 (hair loss at the back of the head), irritability, and restlessness. As the disease progresses, features such as square-shaped skull (craniotabes) and pigeon chest (pectus carinatum) appear. With continued growth, children may develop funnel chest (pectus excavatum), X-shaped legs (genu valgum), or O-shaped legs (genu varum).
Factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency mainly include improper infant feeding, failure to timely introduce cod liver oil, inadequate outdoor activity, and recurrent respiratory infections. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant and lactating women consume more foods rich in protein and calcium, such as milk and eggs, and take vitamin D and calcium supplements as directed by a physician. For children under three years old, routine supplementation with vitamin D drops, adequate sun exposure during favorable weather, and timely introduction of complementary foods are advised to prevent rickets.
