Patient's question:
What impact does scoliosis have on my IQ?Doctor's answer:
Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, leading to disorders in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and poor bone calcification. Its characteristic is the inability of the growing epiphyseal plate to calcify normally, resulting in skeletal abnormalities. Insufficient vitamin D can lead to incomplete mineralization of mature bone, manifesting as osteomalacia. Rickets develops slowly and is often not easily noticed.Recommendations:
Rickets is more common in infancy because infants grow rapidly but have limited outdoor activity, making them prone to vitamin D deficiency. The causes include:
1. Insufficient sunlight exposure, especially during winter and spring when ultraviolet light is inadequate. Cold weather in winter also reduces outdoor activities.
2. Improper feeding, leading to insufficient intake of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus.
3. Rapid growth, such as in premature or twin infants, who have insufficient stored vitamin D and require higher amounts due to fast postnatal growth, making them more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency rickets.
4. Disease-related factors: Impaired absorption of vitamin D and calcium/phosphorus, such as in infant hepatitis syndrome or biliary atresia.
5. Medication effects: Long-term use of anticonvulsant drugs can lead to vitamin D deficiency.