Question

What is rickets? What causes it? How does it affect the body?

Answer 1

Answer. Rickets is a disease caused due to vitamin D deficiency. It often occurs from childhood that is characterised by weak and deformed bones. Malnutrition is the major cause to it.

The adults also show vitamin D deficiency but it is known as osteomalacia in them.

Rickets causes poor bone development thus bones become tender, pains, fragile. Calcium deficiency is also associated with rickets, because in our body absorption of vitamin D and calcium occurs together. Thus, child also shows deficiency of calcium in blood, bowed legs, low height and weight, pelvic deformities etc.

In terms of treatment, the child should be provided with enough amount of vitamin D. If left untreated, the bones as usual become prone to fracture and will lead to the occurrence of bone deformities. Lower level of calcium can cause frequent cramps in three body, waking of the heart muscles is also associated with it.