Overview Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Calcium, Vitamin D, or phosphate deficiency are the cause of Rickets disorder. As a result of the deficiency, the bones become weak and also soften.
Commonly Associated With
Osteomalacia occurring in children; an insufficiency of Vitamin D; Renal rickets; Hepatic rickets
Causes Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Levels of Vitamin D in the body also control the amounts of calcium and phosphate. If the levels of calcium and phosphate drop, the body can potentially secrete hormones that result in the release of the minerals from the bones. This causes the bones to soften.
Vitamin D is obtained by the skin when the body receives sunlight. It is also obtained through the food we eat.
A shortage of Vitamin D production by the skin might occur in individuals who:
- Reside in places where the climate allows for limited exposure to sunlight
- Typically stay indoors
- Stay indoors during daylight hours
These diets might not cater towards high Vitamin D production:
- Lack of dairy products due to lactose intolerance (body is not able to digest these products)
- Little to no consumption of milk
- Absence of meat (vegetarian diet)
- Breastfeeding infants may have lower levels of Vitamin D. This is true for infants who are only breastfed. Human milk doesn’t have a sufficient amount of Vitamin D. This problem is especially relevant for children with darker skin during the winter. This is due to the drop in sunlight exposure during that season.
Calcium and phosphorus insufficiency in a person’s diet can result in rickets. The type of rickets associated with a lack of these minerals is uncommon in more economically developed nations. Milk and green vegetables are strong sources of calcium and phosphorus.
Genetic predisposition may increase your risk. Hereditary rickets is a specific type of disease that is hereditary. This occurs when the kidneys are ineffective in holding onto the phosphate. Kidney disorders associated with renal tubular acidosis might also cause rickets.
If there are other disorders present that impede the body’s ability to digest or absorb fat, the body may struggle to absorb Vitamin D.
Disorders of the liver may also cause rickets in children. The children affected by this can’t transform Vitamin D to its active form.
Rickets is not common in the United States. It often occurs in children in times of quick physical development. At this age, the body requires higher amounts of calcium and phosphate. It may be apparent in children between the ages of 6 and 24 months. It is quite rare in newborn infants.
Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Some of the symptoms of rickets include:
- Pain in bones, feeling tender in the arms, legs, pelvis, and spine.
- Decreasing muscle strength and worsening weakness
- Dental abnormalities: delayed tooth formation, abnormalities in tooth structure, holes in the enamel, and a higher number of cavities
- Impaired growth
- Increased fractures
- Muscle cramps
- Height less than healthy levels (adults less than 5 feet tall or 1.52 meters)
- Skeletal abnormalities like a usually shaped skull, bowlegs, bumps in the ribcage (rachitic rosary), pigeon chest (pushed forward breastbone), pelvic abnormalities, and spine abnormalities (deformed spine: scoliosis or kyphosis)
Exams & Tests
A physical exam may unveil bone tenderness, but can’t reveal such pain in the joints or muscles.
These tests may help diagnose rickets:
- Gases in arterial blood
- Serum calcium – through a blood test
- Bone biopsy (not common)
- Bone x-rays
- Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Serum phosphorus
Other tests and procedures include the following:
- ALP isoenzyme
- Ionized calcium
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Urine calcium
Treatment Of Vitamin D Deficiency
The objectives of the treatment are as follows:
- Alleviate the symptoms
- Rectify the cause of the condition
To prevent rickets from returning, the cause should be directly treated.
Adding phosphorus, calcium, or Vitamin D that is not available will eradicate most of the symptoms of rickets. Fish liver and processed milk are sources where Vitamin D is found.
In patients with rickets, medical professionals will recommend that they are exposed to moderate amounts of sunlight. If the cause of rickets is a metabolic issue, a prescription of Vitamin D supplements may be necessary.
Positioning or bracing may be necessary to correct deformities. In some cases of skeletal deformities, surgery may be required.
