Osteomalacia in children; Vitamin D deficiency; Renal rickets; Hepatic rickets

• Bone pain or tenderness
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Pelvis
  • Spine
• Dental deformities
  • Delayed formation of teeth
  • Decreased muscle tone (loss of muscle strength)
  • Defects in the structure of teeth; holes in the enamel
  • Increased cavities in the teeth (dental caries)
  • Progressive weakness
• Impaired growth
• Increased bone fractures
• Muscle cramps
• Short stature (adults less than 5 feet tall)
• Skeletal deformities
  • Asymmetrical or odd-shaped skull
  • Bowlegs
  • Bumps in the ribcage (rachitic rosary)
  • Breastbone pushed forward (pigeon chest)
  • Pelvic deformities
  • Spine deformities (spine curves abnormally, including scoliosis or kyphosis)

A physical exam reveals tenderness or pain in the bones, rather than in the joints or muscles.

The following tests may help diagnose rickets:

• Arterial blood gases
• Blood tests (serum calcium)
• Bone biopsy (rarely done)
• Bone x-rays
• Serum alkaline phosphatase
• Serum phosphorus

Other tests and procedures include the following:

• ALP (alkaline phosphatase) isoenzyme
• Calcium (ionized)
• PTH
• Urine calcium

Images

X-ray

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Rickets Overview

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Rickets Treatment

Review Date: 08/03/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)