Patient's question:
Nails are a bit curledDoctor's answer:
The cause of rickets is insufficient sunlight exposure, particularly a lack of ultraviolet rays during winter and spring. Additionally, the cold weather in winter reduces outdoor activities, making it easier for rickets to develop. Another reason is improper child nutrition, where the diet lacks sufficient calcium and phosphorus or has an improper ratio, which can also affect calcium and phosphorus absorption. Furthermore, when solely relying on cereal-based foods for feeding, the high phytic acid content can easily bind with calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine to form insoluble calcium phytate, thereby hindering calcium and phosphorus absorption. Additionally, rapid growth, premature birth, and twin births increase the risk of rickets. Chronic diarrhea, liver and biliary system diseases, and chronic kidney disease can impair vitamin D absorption and metabolism. Long-term use of drugs such as phenytoin and phenobarbital can accelerate the breakdown and metabolism of vitamin D, all of which can lead to rickets.