Rickets, nutritional disorder characterized by skeletal deformities. Rickets is caused by a decreased concentration of the mineral hydroxyapatite in bones and cartilage due to low levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of normal calcium and phosphorus levels. Classic rickets, a deficiency disease of children characterized by improper development or hardening of bones, is due to lack of sufficient vitamin D in the diet, or to insufficient ultraviolet radiation from direct sunlight, a lack that prevents conversion of the element 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin to vitamin D. The type of skeletal deformities depends largely on the child's age when the vitamin-D deficiency occurs. A child who has not yet learned to walk develops vertebral curvatures; a walking child develops leg curvatures.
"Rickets," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Offers a description of the malady that includes information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Laurence Finberg, MD provides a description of the condition's pathophysiology, frequency, lab and imaging studies.
Information on this rare disease that affects bone development in children including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risks and treatment.
Find a description of the disorder, its alternate names, the causes, incidence and risk factors.
A description of the diagnosis and treatment of an adopted Russian child with nutritional rickets at the Alfred I. duPont Institute.
Mayo Clinic answers how this vitamin D deficiency effects children's bones, who is at risk, non-dietary causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.
(January 12, 2005)
Find a description of the disorder, its alternate names, the causes, incidence and risk factors.
Laurence Finberg, MD provides a description of the condition's pathophysiology, frequency, lab and imaging studies.
Information on this rare disease that affects bone development in children including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risks and treatment.
A description of the diagnosis and treatment of an adopted Russian child with nutritional rickets at the Alfred I. duPont Institute.
Offers a description of the malady that includes information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Mayo Clinic answers how this vitamin D deficiency effects children's bones, who is at risk, non-dietary causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.
(January 12, 2005)
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