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Facts about
Rickets |
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Although rarely seen in the USA, rickets is a common childhood disease in developing countries. It creates a softening of the bones, resulting in deformities or fractures. Rickets is caused by a lack of adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium in the child’s diet.
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Challenges |
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Symptoms can include: bone pain, delayed teething, pigeon chest, tenderness, dental carries, muscle weakness and skeletal deformities such as bowed legs and wrists. Blood work and x-rays can confirm a diagnosis. |
Treatment |
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The good news is that rickets is largely reversible, especially if diagnosed while the child is still growing. Many children from developing nations come into their families with rickets, and with proper nutrition and care will fully recover from this condition.
Treatment consists of supplementing vitamin D and calcium as well as exposure to sunlight. Green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish, and sesame seeds are recommended foods for children with rickets. Children should play outside in direct sunlight at least once a day as well. With treatment, bones can recover from early deformations. Rickets does not affect a child’s intellect and does not leave lasting effects if treated early. |
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