Rickets

Rickets is a disease of young children associated with metabolic disorders, primarily phosphorus-calcium, due to a lack of vitamin D.

Causes of rickets:

1. Insufficient intake of vitamin D from food or insufficient formation of it in the skin due to lack of ultraviolet rays.

2. Impaired absorption of vitamin D in the intestine in diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

3. Increased need for vitamin D in premature infants, with increased growth and weight gain.

4. Irrational feeding of a child - artificial or mixed with the early introduction of complementary foods.

5. Unfavorable social and living conditions - crowded conditions, dampness, lack of sunlight.

Symptoms of rickets:

1. Increased nervousness, tearfulness, sleep disturbance.

2. Sweating of the head, especially the back of the head.

3. Stunted growth and body weight.

4. Muscular hypotonia.

5. Enlarged abdomen, constipation or diarrhea.

6. Deformation of the skull bones, retraction of the bridge of the nose, divergence of sutures.

7. Late closure of the fontanel.

8. Curvature of the legs, deformation of the chest.

9. Delayed eruption and irregularities in the position of teeth.

Treatment of rickets:

1. Normalization of the child’s nutrition and introduction of complementary foods from 6-8 months.

2. Prescribing vitamin D supplements in age-specific doses.

3. Taking calcium supplements.

4. Therapeutic exercise, massage, swimming.

5. Solar and quartz baths.

Prevention of rickets:

1. A balanced diet and sufficient exposure to fresh air for a pregnant woman.

2. Breastfeeding a child during the first year of life.

3. Introduction of complementary foods no earlier than 4-6 months.

4. Taking multivitamins with vitamin D in winter and autumn.

5. Hardening and massage of the child.

6. Timely treatment of concomitant diseases.

Thus, rickets is a serious disease of young children, requiring careful care, proper nutrition and timely treatment. Prevention of rickets largely depends on the child’s lifestyle and nutrition.

Rickets is a disease that manifests itself in impaired absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the human body. It can lead to serious consequences, such as impaired bone and muscle development, as well as decreased immunity. In this article we will look at the causes and symptoms of rickets, as well as methods of treatment and prevention of this disease.

Causes of rickets. Rickets is a disease of young children that develops due to a deficiency of vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which play an important role in the formation of bones and teeth. The lack of these substances leads to softening and deformation of bones, especially in the back and chest. In addition, rickets can be caused by poor nutrition or lack of sunlight. Children living in northern countries where there is little sun are at higher risk of developing rickets than those living in more southern regions. Lack of physical activity also contributes to the development of rickets. Symptoms of rickets may vary depending on the stage of the disease. At the initial stage of rickets, children experience increased sweating, fatigue, decreased appetite, lethargy and drowsiness. Over time, back and chest pain and bone deformation may occur. In severe forms of rickets, frequent colds are possible, and bones can become soft and brittle. How to prevent rickets. To prevent the development of rickets, it is necessary to provide your child with a proper diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Children should get enough dairy products such as milk and yogurt, as well as calcium-rich foods such as fish and meat. In addition, for better absorption of these substances, it is recommended to drink orange juice and take vitamin D supplements. It is also important to stay hydrated, give your child plenty of fluids, and exercise regularly. Treatment of rickets should be comprehensive and include taking medications containing calcium and vitamin D, as well as physical therapy. It is also important to provide your child with a positive environment at home so that he or she can get enough sleep and rest. Why is rickets dangerous? The disease is dangerous due to its complications, which include weakening of bones, teeth and ligaments, dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, deviations in the development of the heart and blood vessels. Rickets provokes a decrease in the body's resistance to infectious diseases. The main manifestation of rickets is an enlargement of the skull, softening of the bones and loss of hardness. The shape of the head changes, a bulge appears in the middle and frontal bumps appear. Subcutaneous fat tissue disappears, the skin becomes pale, easily extensible and flabby. The ribs show significant protrusion. The consequences of rickets for teeth: their curvature, shortening of individual parts, caries. But most