Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChildhood SymptomsOsteomalacia in AdultsComplicationsIdentifying RicketsSeeing a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Childhood Symptoms
Osteomalacia in Adults
Complications
Identifying Rickets
Seeing a Healthcare Provider
This article will discuss rickets symptoms, complications, and how to identify the condition. It will also discuss the relationship between rickets and osteomalacia.
Rickets Symptoms Beginning in Childhood
Physical
There are physical symptoms of rickets. Not everyone will experience each symptom and the severity will vary from person to person. Signs to look for include:
Researchers examined the relationship of skin conditions to rickets. The skin plays a key role in vitamin D development (synthesis). As a result, if someone has skin conditions that prohibit vitamin D synthesis then it could predispose them to rickets. Skin conditions related to rickets are:
Sensations
The physical symptoms of rickets may be the most talked about but they are not the only type of symptom. The sensations that are felt when someone has developed rickets can be significant. The sensation symptoms include:
When Rickets Become Osteomalacia in Adults
While often discussed synonymously, the cellular process that occurs to cause rickets and osteomalacia is different.
Adults are predisposed to developingosteomalaciaif they do not receive enough vitamin D. People who have low vitamin D do not properly absorb calcium. This can result in osteomalacia. Those people who may have low vitamin D:
The symptoms of osteomalacia are:
Complications of Rickets Symptoms
Rickets causes many complications that can be felt throughout the body. Younger children whose bones do not develop properly will not grow well and will have difficulties with walking. Older children can have bone pain and bowed legs.
Osteomalacia can cause several complications if not properly treated.Insufficiency fractures(also known as Looser zones), spinal compression fractures, andkyphoscoliosisare all potential complications.
Ricket ComorbiditiesA number of conditions can cause rickets. Low vitamin D levels,kidney conditions,intestinal absorption conditions, and liver conditions are all potential comorbidities that can cause and go along with rickets.
Ricket Comorbidities
A number of conditions can cause rickets. Low vitamin D levels,kidney conditions,intestinal absorption conditions, and liver conditions are all potential comorbidities that can cause and go along with rickets.
How to Identify Rickets Symptoms in Children
Identifying rickets in children can be difficult. Many of the symptoms overlap with other conditions. There are a few clues that could help you determine if your child may have rickets, including:
When to See a Provider for Rickets
Summary
Rickets is a health condition that develops in children who do not get enough vitamin D or may have developed as an inheritable condition. The symptoms vary but can include muscle pain, cramps, soft bones, and bone fractures. Anytime someone suspects they or someone in their family has rickets should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Rickets.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Rickets.Litaiem N, Chabchoub I, Bacha T, Slouma M, Zeglaoui F, Khachemoune A.Rickets in association with skin diseases and conditions: A review with emphasis on screening and prevention.Photoderm Photoimm Photomed. 2020;36(5):339-350. doi:10.1111/phpp.12590Arboleya L, Braña I, Pardo E, Loredo M, Queiro R.Osteomalacia in adults: a practical insight for clinicians.JCM. 2023;12(7):2714. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm12072714Penn Medicine.Osteomalacia.National Library of Medicine.Osteomalacia.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Rickets.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Rickets.Litaiem N, Chabchoub I, Bacha T, Slouma M, Zeglaoui F, Khachemoune A.Rickets in association with skin diseases and conditions: A review with emphasis on screening and prevention.Photoderm Photoimm Photomed. 2020;36(5):339-350. doi:10.1111/phpp.12590Arboleya L, Braña I, Pardo E, Loredo M, Queiro R.Osteomalacia in adults: a practical insight for clinicians.JCM. 2023;12(7):2714. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm12072714Penn Medicine.Osteomalacia.National Library of Medicine.Osteomalacia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Rickets.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Rickets.Litaiem N, Chabchoub I, Bacha T, Slouma M, Zeglaoui F, Khachemoune A.Rickets in association with skin diseases and conditions: A review with emphasis on screening and prevention.Photoderm Photoimm Photomed. 2020;36(5):339-350. doi:10.1111/phpp.12590Arboleya L, Braña I, Pardo E, Loredo M, Queiro R.Osteomalacia in adults: a practical insight for clinicians.JCM. 2023;12(7):2714. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm12072714Penn Medicine.Osteomalacia.National Library of Medicine.Osteomalacia.
MedlinePlus.Rickets.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Rickets.
Litaiem N, Chabchoub I, Bacha T, Slouma M, Zeglaoui F, Khachemoune A.Rickets in association with skin diseases and conditions: A review with emphasis on screening and prevention.Photoderm Photoimm Photomed. 2020;36(5):339-350. doi:10.1111/phpp.12590
Arboleya L, Braña I, Pardo E, Loredo M, Queiro R.Osteomalacia in adults: a practical insight for clinicians.JCM. 2023;12(7):2714. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm12072714
Penn Medicine.Osteomalacia.
National Library of Medicine.Osteomalacia.
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