Essay About Rickets

What You Need to Know About Rickets Rickets was once viewed as a public health problem that required urgent care. It was known to have largely fallen off of the public’s radar until recently. Many researchers are calling attention to a revival of rickets. But what is Rickets and why is there a resurge of incidents being seen? Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones in children also known as Osteomalacia in adults, usually because of a vitamin D deficiency or genetic condition. Vitamin D is what promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the Gestational Intestines tract. When a person has a vitamin D insufficiency it makes it difficult to maintain proper calcium and phosphorous levels in the bones. There are several different
Some of the imaging that might be ordered are, chest, wrist and ankles, legs and skull x-rays. When a chest x-ray is done they are looking for rachitic rosary which is rib flaring or bumps on the ribcage. Wrist and ankle exams can show a widening or uncharacteristically shaped metaphysis, which is “the most actively growing part of the bone below the growth plate.” (CITE) It may also display multiple fractures at different stages of healing. Legs are a very common x-ray to demonstrate the bowing of the legs. Most commonly you see bowing of the legs and spine in radiographs or visually in the person’s physical appearance. The treatment for Rickets usually depends upon the cause. Braces are common for those that suffer for bowing legs and/or spine. In some cases surgery is required for more severe deformities. In cases of nutritional Rickets the treatment can be quiet modest. “The first step is to prevent the complications of calcium and phosphate deficiency by correcting any abnormal levels with supplemental calcium or phosphate as well as the activated vitamin D (calcitriol).” However it is important to note that an overload of vitamin D can be