Patient's question:
Main symptoms: Linear elevations on both sides of the forehead, right ribs slightly higher than left ribs. Onset time: Calcium and iron deficiency were detected at 4 months of age.Doctor's answer:
Childhood rickets is a common chronic nutritional deficiency disease in infancy, commonly known in folk as "soft bone disease." It is caused by a lack of vitamin D in the body, leading to abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism throughout the body, which in turn results in changes in the bones. It is most commonly observed in infants under the age of two.Recommendation: It is advised to visit a hospital for examination to confirm the diagnosis. The symptoms are as follows:
The initial symptoms of rickets in infants are often related to mental and neurological issues, such as restlessness, easy waking at night, and excessive sweating. Sweating is more pronounced during feeding and crying, sometimes even soaking the pillow. Subsequently, skeletal developmental abnormalities may appear, such as a "ping-pong ball-like" elasticity when pressing the head, square skull, large fontanelles that close slowly, sparse hair on the back of the head, delayed tooth eruption, and delayed sitting, standing, and walking compared to normal infants. The chest may show costal beads, where certain parts of each rib become prominent and rough, resembling a string of beads when felt vertically. Rib flaring and pigeon chest may also occur. If the child sits or stands for long periods during the active phase of rickets, it may lead to spinal curvature and O-shaped or X-shaped legs. The upper limbs may show rounded, thickened "bracelet-like" appearances at the distal ends of the ulna and radius at the wrists.
The main factors or causes of vitamin D deficiency include insufficient intake.
Lifestyle Care: Preventing rickets primarily involves exposure to sunlight and additional vitamin D supplementation, such as taking cod liver oil or Ecosprin.