Rickets

Question 1

What is rickets?

Answer 1

Defective bone mineralisation as a cause of calcium or vitamin D deficiency

Question 2

What minerals is vitamin D needed to make?

Answer 2

Calcium and phosphorus

Question 3

What are the symptoms of rickets?

Answer 3

Bow legs
Lethargy
Bone pain
Stunted growth
Swollen wrists
Muscle weakness

Question 4

What bone deformities can occur in rickets?

Answer 4

Bowed legs
Knock knees
Delayed teeth
Craniotabies - soft skull

Question 5

What investigations can be performed to diagnose rickets?

Answer 5

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D - low
X-ray

Serum calcium - low
Serum phosphate - low
Serum alkaline phosphatase - high
Parathyroid hormone - high

Question 6

What is the treatment of rickets?

Answer 6

Vitamin D supplements for vit D deficiency