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Rickets / Paediatric Osteomalacia

What are the causes of rickets?

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The main cause of rickets is the deficiency of vitamin D caused in the body during childhood. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that may be absorbed from the intestines or may be produced by the skin when the skin is exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet light of sunlight helps the body to form vitamin D). The absorbed vitamin D is converted into its active form to act as a hormone to regulate calcium absorption from the intestine and to regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in the bones. If there is a deficiency of Vitamin D, the body is unable to properly regulate calcium and phosphate levels. When the blood levels of these minerals become too low, it results in destruction of the support matrix of the bones.

In rickets, another mechanism in the body works to increase the blood calcium level. The parathyroid gland (four numbers of hormone producing glands, usually located in the neck) may increase its functioning rate to compensate for decreased levels of calcium in the bloodstream.To increase the level of calcium in the blood the hormone destroys the calcium present in the bones of the body and this results in further loss of calcium and phosphorous from the bones. In severe cases, cysts may develop in the bones. Vitamin D deficiency could be caused due to numerous reasons.

Environmental conditions where sunlight exposure is limited like indoor confinement or working indoors during daylight hours may reduce source of vitamin D.

A lack of vitamin D in the diet.

Problem of malabsorption called steatorrhea, in which the body is unable to absorb fats, and they are passed directly out the body in the stool. The result of this problem is that Vitamin D, which is usually absorbed with fat, and calcium are poorly absorbed. This poor absorption can be a result of digestive disorders. Steatorrhea could also lead to other deficiencies.

Due to tubular acidosis in which there is an increased amount of acid in the body fluids as a result of congenital or acquired kidney disorders.

A dietary lack of calcium and phosphorous may also play a part in nutritional causes of rickets.

A dietary lack of vitamin D may occasionally occur in people on a vegetarian diet who do not drink milk products or in people who are lactose intolerant (have trouble digesting milk products).

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Posted by:  vanna21(Guest)  Posted on: 01/15/2012
hiii im a 21 year old female I have Hypophosphatemic rickets I have never had any operations im trying to see how to go about doing so any tipss??


Posted by:  cif12(Guest)  Posted on: 05/09/2012
Do you have deformities?




Posted by:  Sana17  Posted on: 06/05/2011
i am 17 turning 18 this year, i had an operation last august on my left leg due to rickets and had metal plates placed in, this august i am having surgery again so that they can take the metal out, and then the same procedure is taking place on my right leg and then next summer theyre taking the metal plate out on right leg, they adjusted the alignment, i didnt realise alot of people have rickets until i saw this



Posted by:  nuella  Posted on: 01/13/2011
i am 27,i have bowlegs i had my first surgery when i was 4,it reoccurred i dont really know what my kind is called but i think its generic cos my sis has it too.i am thinking of having another surgery,my fear is what if it reoccurs what chance have i got?



Posted by:  basith  Posted on: 10/31/2010
my sister son was suffering by vitamin-D resistant rickets.he is now 18 months old.is this rickets curable permanently?



Posted by:  Jaxxxx(Guest)  Posted on: 07/15/2010
there are different types of rickets,I have Hypophosphatemic rickets (previously called vitamin D-resistant rickets) is a disorder in which the bones become painfully soft and bend easily because the blood contains low levels of phosphate.This very rare disorder is nearly always hereditary, passed as a dominant gene that is carried on the X chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes. The genetic defect causes a kidney abnormality that allows an inappropriately high amount of phosphate to be excreted into the urine, resulting in low levels of phosphate in the blood. Because bones need phosphate for growth and strength, this deficiency causes defective bones. Females with hypophosphatemic rickets have less severe bone disease than males. In rare cases, the disorder develops as a result of certain cancers, such as giant cell tumors of bone, sarcomas, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Hypophosphatemic rickets is not the same as rickets caused by vitamin D

deficiency (see Vitamins: Vitamin D Deficiency).


Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 08/26/2010
Hi there. My brother is 39-years-old and was born with hypophosphatemic rickets. He has walked with a cane for the past several years. He just had an operation in which a metal rod was inserted into his femur. Unfortunately, the rod went right through his bone and was unsuccessful. He is in excruciating pain and surviving on painkillers. I'd love to find resources for him of any kind. Any suggestions would be so very appreciated. Thank you.



Posted by:  bbshell(Guest)  Posted on: 03/30/2011
Hi I am a 37yr old woman that has been born with hypophosphatemic rickets, My mum is a carrier and so was my nan. I have been affected as a male would. and I have always been at the highest scale with severity. I underwent sergery as a teenager but I have bowed back as the years have gone by. My daughter has also been born with the condition and is undergiong full limb reconstruction. I have deteriated badly over the last 3yrs,and have constant pain.And the last 2 year My teath are falling out due to the amount of work that has been done on them over the years. Is any1 else having these problems?




Posted by:  Janey1901(Guest)  Posted on: 02/25/2010
Wow... How great to hear of others with the same condition. I am a 46 year old female and was born with rickets. I have had 9 operations on my knees. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 2- 3 years ago and have been told today my cholestrol is too high, so now on tablets for that. I have been told the thyroid is quite common with a lack of vitamin D



Posted by:  msanna2122(Guest)  Posted on: 01/14/2010
Hello, I'm a 31 year old female that suffers from rickets. I have had 6 surgeries on both legs. I had to have my left knee replaced and right hip as well. Now I also have decay of teeth (had to have many repairs), psoriasis, and am in lots of pain in my whole body.


Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 02/16/2010
Hi, I'm a 30 year old female also suffering from rickets since the age of 2. I've also had a few operations, but have been doing well until recently. I'm really worried and afraid that i might also need a hip replacement. I just want to know how the hip replacement went. How long does it take to heal? I'm also walking on crutchers for the past two years. How do you get around?




Posted by:  kaneasgirl  Posted on: 08/12/2009
I am a twenty five year old female with rickets. I have had one knee surgery to straighten it, but I have never really had any bone pains until now! I am taking osteobioflex and calcium, but I am still in a lot of pain. The pain is just in my shoulder right now, but it is keeping me from sleeping and doing my job!


Posted by:  simple_sweet  Posted on: 11/02/2010
can u plz tell me 4m where u had ur surgery. m 23 yrs old.i hv rickets since childhood.. searching 4 surgery to straighten me legs. please tell me is der any pain or problems in lleg bones after surgery and where u had operated. hw many operations have to be done?? and wat would be cost 4 it. i'll be really thankful to u..




Posted by:  radoo(Guest)  Posted on: 05/21/2009
hi i also have a 16month old daughter with rickets. the dr said that her body is resistant to the vit d tablet, hence she needs to be given a 'special' kind of vit d tablet to treat her condition. i am just wondering if the vit d dosage will have any side effect on her? jus a 2nd opinion from those who have been experiencing this. tq for ur response.



Posted by:  alicianbodway(Guest)  Posted on: 03/09/2009
I am 14 Years Old and Have Herretitary Rickets. My Legs Are Severly Bowed Because of it. COmment If Any Questions. I Have Had 3 Surgurys and my 4th is coming up.


Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 09/27/2009
How are you legs doing? Are they okay now?



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 10/04/2009
Good Luck Girlie !!! I will be prayin' for ya :-]



Posted by:  alicianbodway(Guest)  Posted on: 10/06/2009
Yesss, they are doing great . i just got my external fixitor off my leg 2 weeks ago and i am so hapy about it. Thanks for the comments !



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 11/02/2009
omg iwish you the best of luck



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 03/16/2010
I have rickets also. I had external fixators on both legs for a year. Where are u from?



Posted by:  atul_qwerty(Guest)  Posted on: 10/01/2010
are ur legs perfectly ok now..???




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