What element deficiency causes rickets?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
In general, rickets is primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in the body. Abnormal absorption of calcium and phosphorus can also contribute to the development of this disease. It is commonly seen in infants and young children. To prevent rickets, it is important to ensure that infants and young children receive adequate amounts of vitamin D, such as through exposure to sunlight to promote vitamin D synthesis in the skin, or by taking vitamin D supplements under a doctor's guidance.
Rickets is primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in the body. Abnormal absorption of calcium and phosphorus can also contribute to the development of this disease, which is commonly seen in infants and young children. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines and helps maintain normal bone mineralization. When the body lacks vitamin D, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus is impaired, preventing normal deposition of calcium salts in bones. This leads to bone softening and deformation, causing rickets. For example, infants and young children may develop skeletal problems such as a square-shaped skull, pigeon chest, bowed legs (O-shaped legs), or knock knees (X-shaped legs). They may also experience symptoms like restless sleep, excessive sweating (excessive sweating), and delayed tooth eruption.
Although calcium and phosphorus deficiencies are not the direct causes of rickets, insufficient vitamin D can indirectly reduce the absorption of these two minerals, worsening skeletal developmental abnormalities. Simply supplementing calcium and phosphorus without simultaneously supplementing vitamin D will not effectively prevent or improve rickets.
To prevent rickets, it is important to ensure adequate vitamin D supplementation for infants and young children. This can be achieved, for example, by encouraging sun exposure to promote vitamin D synthesis in the skin or by taking vitamin D supplements under a doctor's guidance.
