-RICKETS is a bone disorder that softens bones (makes them prone to fracture and irregularities) that usually occurs because of lack of Vitamin D (calcium) in a child’s diet, but can also occur because of genetics or other health conditions. Any child can develop Rickets, but those more at risk tend to be poor or lacking basic resources. Many children in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East suffer from this because their skin is darker and they take more time to absorb Vitamin D naturally through sunlight. In the type of Rickets that is genetically passed on, the child will have kidneys and bones that do not process phosphate properly and therefore cannot make the bones and teeth strong and hard. The symptoms include pain, skeletal deformities, dental problems, poor growth and development, and fragile bones.
-Treatment of Rickets is typically to increase Vitamin D and calcium intake, meaning more foods that contain calcium and Vitamin D, supplements, and more sunlight. For genetic Rickets, someone would receive phosphate supplements and a special form of Vitamin D.
-The most common form of genetic Rickets occurs in about 1 in 20,000 newborns. In 2015 a study was done that found Alaska Native children are at the highest risk for the disease because of poor nutrition and lack of sunlight, as very little UV light makes it to Alaska Nov.-Feb.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rickets-and-osteomalacia/causes/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176941
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.