We all grew up calling it ”Bo l3g3” however it will be worth noting the English for it is Rickets instead.
Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones in children, usually because of an extreme and prolonged vitamin D deficiency. Rare inherited problems also can cause rickets. Vitamin D helps your child’s body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. Not enough vitamin D makes it difficult to maintain proper calcium and phosphorus levels in bones, which can cause rickets.
Adding vitamin D or calcium to the diet generally corrects the bone problems associated with rickets. When rickets is due to another underlying medical problem, your child may need additional medications or other treatment. Some skeletal deformities caused by rickets may require corrective surgery. Rare inherited disorders related to low levels of phosphorus, the other mineral component in bone, may require other medications.
Causes
Your child’s body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. Rickets can occur if your child’s body doesn’t get enough vitamin D or if his or her body has problems using vitamin D properly. Occasionally, not getting enough calcium or lack of calcium and vitamin D can cause rickets.
Lack of vitamin D
Children who don’t get enough vitamin D from these two sources can develop a deficiency:
1.Sunlight. Your child’s skin produces vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunlight. But children in developed countries tend to spend less time outdoors. They’re also more likely to use sunscreen, which blocks the sun’s rays that trigger the skin’s production of vitamin D.
2.Food. Fish oil, egg yolks and fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel contain vitamin D. Vitamin D has also been added to some foods and beverages, such as milk, cereal and some fruit juices.
Complications
Left untreated, rickets can lead to:
Failure to grow
An abnormally curved spine
Bone deformities
Dental defects
Seizures
