Rickets Research Paper

Rickets is a childhood bone disorder in which bones soften and become prone to fractures. The main cause of rickets is a lack of vitamin D. Not having enough calcium in one's diet can also cause rickets. Some childhood kidney and liver diseases can cause rickets. There are many symptom of rickets such as Bone pain, Bone tenderness, Bones break easily, Low calcium blood levels, Soft skull, there may be spinal, pelvic or cranial deformities, and toddlers may have bowed legs. Some causes of rickets is Genetic defect hypophosphatemia rickets is a rare genetic fault that undermines the way the kidneys process phosphates. Phosphate blood levels are too low leading to weak and soft bones. Some renal kidney and intestinal diseases can interfere with the way the body absorbs and metabolize. You can get Rickets at in early age in your life. Rickets is most common in children who are between 6 and 36 months old. During this time children usually experience rapid growth. This is when their bodies need the most calcium and phosphate to strengthen and develop their bones. Children that live in African, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern are at the highest risk for rickets. The reason why they are at higher risk is because they have dark skin. Dark skin doesn’t react as strongly to sunlight as lighter skin does, so it produces less vitamin D. Treatment for rickets focuses on replacing the missing vitamin or mineral in the body. If your child has a vitamin D deficiency, your doctor will want them to increase their exposure to sunlight. They will also encourage them to consume food products high in vitamin D, such as fish, liver, milk, and eggs. Calcium and vitamin D supplements can also be used to treat rickets. Ask the doctor about the correct dosage, as it can vary based on …show more content…
• arterial blood gases to determine how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in the blood
• blood tests to measure the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood
• bone X-rays to check for bone