Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Rickets
Introduction
Synonyms and keywords:
Overview
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Overview
Rickets is a softening of the bones in children potentially leading to fractures and deformity. Rickets is among the most frequent childhood diseases in many developing countries. The predominant cause is a vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets. Although it can occur in adults, the majority of cases occur in children suffering from severe malnutrition, usually resulting from famine or starvation during the early stages of childhood. Osteomalacia is the term used to describe a similar condition occurring in adults, generally due to a deficiency of vitamin D.
The origin of the word “rickets” is unknown. The Greek derived word “rachitis” (meaning “inflammation of the spine”) was later adopted as the scientific term for rickets, due chiefly to the words’ similarity in sound.
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Type chapter name here from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Surgery
Medical Therapy
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Historical Perspective
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Overview
Historical Perspective
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Classification
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Overview
Classification
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Pathophysiology
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Overview
Pathophysiology
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Causes
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Overview
Causes
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Differentiating Any Disease from other Diseases
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Overview
Differentiating Rickets from other Diseases
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Overview
Rickets is a softening of the bones in children potentially leading to fractures and deformity. Rickets is among the most frequent childhood diseases in many developing countries. The predominant cause is a vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets. Although it can occur in adults, the majority of cases occur in children suffering from severe malnutrition, usually resulting from famine or starvation during the early stages of childhood. Osteomalacia is the term used to describe a similar condition occurring in adults, generally due to a deficiency of vitamin D. The origin of the word “rickets” is unknown. The Greek derived word “rachitis” (meaning “inflammation of the spine”) was later adopted as the scientific term for rickets, due chiefly to the words’ similarity in sound.
Epidemiology
Those at higher risk for developing rickets include:
- Breast-fed infants whose mothers are not exposed to sunlight
- Breast-fed infants who are not exposed to sunlight
- Individuals not consuming fortified milk, such as those who are lactose intolerant
Individuals with red hair have a decreased risk for rickets due to their greater production of vitamin D in sunlight.[1]
References
Risk Factors
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Overview
Risk Factors
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Screening
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Overview
Screening
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Overview
Natural History
Complications
Prognosis
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram |Chest X Ray | CT | MRI | Echocardiography or Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]