Rickets
Rickets is a disease in children that makes their bones soft and weak. The most common cause is not getting enough vitamin D, which helps the body use calcium to build strong bones. Not having enough calcium or phosphate, or having certain medical conditions, can also cause rickets. In adults, a similar problem is called osteomalacia.
Causes
- Not enough vitamin D in the diet or not getting enough sun.
- Exclusive breastfeeding without vitamin D supplements.
- Dark skin or living in places with little sunlight.
- Problems with calcium or phosphate in the body.
- Certain genetic conditions.
Symptoms
- Bowed legs or other obvious bone deformities.
- Slow growth or short stature.
- Bone or tooth pain, especially in the legs, spine, and pelvis.
- Large forehead or delayed closing of the skull fontanelles in infants.
- Trouble sleeping or muscle cramps.
Diagnosis
- Blood tests showing low calcium or phosphate and high alkaline phosphatase.
- X-rays showing changes in bone and growth plates.
Prevention
- Give vitamin D to exclusively breastfed babies.
- Get some sun safely and eat foods rich in vitamin D and calcium (such as fortified milk, eggs, fatty fish, and fortified cereals).
- Ensure adequate intake of calcium and phosphate in the diet.
Treatment
- The main treatment is vitamin D (and sometimes calcium) supplements.
- Many children improve within a few weeks; bone deformities may improve over time with treatment.
- If a deformity is severe, surgery or special medical care may be needed.
- Genetic forms require specific medical approaches.
Who’s at risk
- Rickets is more common in parts of the world with less sun or limited diets, especially the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, but it can occur anywhere.
- It usually begins between 3 and 18 months of age.
- Both boys and girls can be affected.
Outlook
- With proper treatment, most children recover well and build strong bones. Early diagnosis and ongoing care help prevent lasting deformities.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:00 (CET).