What are facts about rickets?

Facts about Rickets

- Rickets is a bone disease that occurs when the body lacks vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate.

- Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the diet.

- Children who do not get enough vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate may develop rickets.

- Rickets is most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.

- Rickets can also occur in adults, but it is less common.

- Symptoms of rickets include:

- bone pain

- muscle weakness

- delayed growth

- skeletal deformities, such as bow legs or knock knees

- soft or weak bones

- Rickets can be diagnosed with a blood test and an X-ray.

- Rickets is treated with supplements of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate.

- Rickets can be prevented by ensuring that children and adults get enough vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate in their diet.

- Foods that are rich in vitamin D include:

- fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel

- fortified milk and yogurt

- eggs

- liver

- cheese

- Foods that are rich in calcium include:

- milk and yogurt

- cheese

- leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, and spinach

- almonds

- chia seeds

- Foods that are rich in phosphate include:

- meat

- poultry

- fish

- beans

- lentils

- peas

- nuts

- seeds