Rickets / Paediatric Osteomalacia

Rickets is a deficiency of Vitamin D which is also known by many other names like Osteomalacia, Renal Osteodystrophy, Paediatric Osteomalacia, Vitamin D deficiency and Renal Rickets. This disease involves softening and weakening of bones in children due to deficiency of Vitamin D. This softening occurs from a loss of the mineral calcium from the skeleton as a result of which bones become flexible and gradually are molded by forces, such as bearing weight, that are exerted on them. This condition could lead to deformities of the body structure.

Rickets is most likely to occur during periods of rapid growth, when the body demands high levels of calcium and phosphate. Rickets may be seen in young children 6 to 24 months old and is uncommon in newborns.