Rickets and osteomalacia
Overview
Rickets is where a child's bones become weak and soft. It's usually caused by not getting enough vitamin D or calcium. In adults it's called osteomalacia. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help.
Symptoms
The main symptom of rickets is having bowed legs. This is when your legs curve outward so there's a large gap between your knees when you stand with your feet together. Symptoms of rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults also include: swollen, painful wristspain in your back, shoulder, ribs, pelvis or legschanges in the way you walk, not wanting to walk much or getting tired more easily when walkingdifficulty climbing stairs or getting out of a chair because of weak musclestingling, cramping or twitching of your musclesbreaking your bones more often or after a minor accident, especially your hips, lower back and feet Children with rickets may be small for their age and their teeth may come through later than usual.
Treatment
Rickets and osteomalacia are usually caused by low levels of vitamin D and calcium in your body. Our bodies makevitamin Dwhen our skin is exposed to summer sunlight. But we cannot make enough vitamin D from sunlight between September and March, which can cause low vitamin D levels. Calciumis found in milk, cheese, yoghurt and green leafy vegetables, as well as other foods. You may not get enough if you do not have a healthy, balanced diet. Treatments for rickets include: taking vitamin D and calcium supplementshaving a healthy, balanced dietspending more time outside with the sun on your skin, which is a good way to increase your vitamin D levels naturally Spend time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from late March to September. If rickets or osteomalacia have caused problems with your bones, such as bowed legs, you may need further treatment to fix this. Some people may need surgery. If your rickets or osteomalacia symptoms are caused by another condition, treating that condition will help.
Prevention
You can prevent rickets and osteomalacia by making sure you get enough vitamin D and calcium. take avitamin D supplement, especially if you're over 65, or pregnant or breastfeeding take avitamin D supplement, especially if you're over 65, or pregnant or breastfeeding give your babyvitamin D drops from birthif they're exclusively breastfed or under 6 months old and have less than 500ml of formula a day give your babyvitamin D drops from birthif they're exclusively breastfed or under 6 months old and have less than 500ml of formula a day eat ahealthy, balanced diet eat ahealthy, balanced diet try to get outside in the sun without wearing sunscreen for 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week between late March and September – this may be more often if you have brown or black skin try to get outside in the sun without wearing sunscreen for 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week between late March and September – this may be more often if you have brown or black skin