Rickets
Also called: childhood osteomalacia, vitamin D deficiency rickets
What it means
Rickets is a childhood bone disease where bones stay soft and weak because of a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, which affects growth plates.
It shows how important vitamin D and minerals are for building strong bones early in life, which affects bone strength later as an adult.
Rickets happens most often in babies and young children whose bones are still growing fast. Without enough vitamin D (and sometimes calcium or phosphate), the growing ends of bones don't harden properly. This leaves the skeleton soft, and growth plates stay thickened and disorganized instead of turning into strong, mineralized bone.
Common signs include bowed legs, knock knees, a curved spine, soft skull bones in infants, dental problems, and slow growth. Blood tests often show low vitamin D, abnormal calcium or phosphate levels, and high alkaline phosphatase. Diagnosis usually involves blood work and X-rays showing widened, frayed growth plates.
Treatment is directed by a doctor and typically involves correcting the vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate shortfall, along with monitoring growth and bone shape over time. Some forms of rickets are caused by rare genetic or kidney conditions rather than simple diet or sun exposure, so a proper medical work-up matters before starting any treatment.
The adult version of this same bone-softening problem is called osteomalacia. Both conditions show that vitamin D plays a basic structural role in bones, not just a supporting one.
Rickets shows how vitamin D and minerals are essential for building strong bones in childhood, shaping adult bone strength.
Where this leads
WordRickets happens without enough vitamin D, but what does vitamin D actually do for your bones? Here's how it helps your body use calcium.
Related words
Osteomalacia is softening of the bones caused by severe, long-term vitamin D deficiency, which prevents bone from…
Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps your gut absorb calcium so it can be used to build and maintain bone.
Vitamin D deficiency means your body doesn't have enough vitamin D, which is needed to absorb calcium and keep bones…
A growth plate (epiphyseal plate, or physis) is a layer of cartilage near the ends of a child's or teen's long bones…
Calcium is the main building-block mineral in bone, and since your body can't make it, you need to get it from food…
Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare genetic condition where low levels of a bone-building enzyme (alkaline phosphatase)…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
