Why does rickets affect children

If your child eats solid foods, you should manage their diet. Offer them foods high in vitamin D, such as breakfast cereals and orange juice, and calcium, such as milk, cheese, and salad greens. Ask your doctor how much time in the sun is safe for your child. Remember that infants and babies require protection from direct sunlight. Treatment depends on the type of rickets your child has. For children who lack enough nutrients, the doctor will prescribe supplements for vitamin D and calcium.

If your child has bone defects caused by rickets, they may need braces or surgery to correct the problem. For children who inherit rickets or have an illness that caused rickets, you may need to see a specialist. Most cases of rickets go away once your child gets enough vitamin D. There may be lasting effects or defects that require further treatment, such as braces or surgery.

Your child may need therapy as a result. It is possible that your child may require a strict diet in order to stay healthy. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Strabismus is an eye disorder. If your child has problems absorbing vitamins and minerals, they may need a higher supplement dose or a yearly vitamin D injection.

Read more about treating rickets. Rickets can easily be prevented by eating a diet that includes vitamin D and calcium, spending some time in sunlight, and if necessary, taking vitamin D supplements.

Take your child to see your GP if they have any of the signs and symptoms of rickets. Your GP will carry out a physical examination to check for any obvious problems. They may also discuss your child's medical history, diet, family history, and any medication they're taking.

A blood test can usually confirm a diagnosis of rickets, although your child may also have some X-rays or possibly a bone density scan DEXA scan. This is a type of X-ray that measures the calcium content in bones. Rickets is more likely in babies and children who also have low dairy intake, and in babies who breastfeed for a long time without starting solid foods at the normal age around four to six months. Including foods with vitamin D in your child's diet may help prevent rickets. Foods with vitamin D include fresh fatty fish e.

Some foods have vitamin D added, such as margarine and some breakfast cereals or dairy products. However, foods only provide a small amount 10 per cent or less of daily vitamin D needs for most people in Australia, and safely spending enough time in the sun is the best way to prevent low vitamin D.

See our fact sheet Vitamin D. Children with dark skin who live in the southern parts of Australia should have extra vitamin D supplements during winter. Regular follow-up with a paediatrician is needed to ensure that healthy levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphate are maintained.

You child will have:. If my child has bow legs, will they straighten up once she is getting more vitamin D? Usually, within three months of treatment, an improvement in bone health and shape are visible on X-rays.

With medical treatment alone, most bow legs improve dramatically and surgery is not necessary. If there is insufficient straightening, your child will be referred to a bone specialist orthopaedic surgeon for review. If my child has rickets are they likely to have bone problems later in life?

Your child should be monitored closely to make sure they continue to have good vitamin D, calcium and phosphate levels. Talk to your doctor for further information. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The abdominal muscles support the trunk, allow movement and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure. Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone in adults, which causes the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, feet and internal organs.

Exercise can prevent age-related changes to muscles, bones and joints and can reverse these changes too. A person with amyloidosis produces aggregates of insoluble protein that cannot be eliminated from the body. Ankle sprain is a common sports injuries caused by overstretching and tearing the supporting ligaments. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

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