Patient's question:
Son's 6.5-month check-up, weight 14 pounds, height 66. The doctor said it's rickets and asked to switch formula!Doctor's answer:
The early manifestations of rickets are primarily sleep disturbances, easy waking, night crying, excessive sweating (unrelated to temperature), and baldness on the back of the head. Later, symptoms such as a square skull, outwardly flared lower ribs, pigeon chest, and severe leg curvature may gradually appear. Teething, sitting, standing, walking, and speech development are all delayed compared to normal children.Treatment: In the initial stage, children often exhibit irritability, excessive sweating, poor sleep, and night crying. During this time, they can be given 5,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin D orally daily, and after one month, the dose can be reduced to a preventive level. For those unable to take oral medication, intramuscular injections of 240,000 or 330,000 units of vitamin D can be administered once or twice, with a one-month interval between doses.
In the acute stage, children often show skeletal changes. They can be given 1,000 to 20,000 units of vitamin D orally daily, and after one month, the dose can be reduced to a preventive level. For those unable to take oral medication, intramuscular injections of 240,000 or 330,000 units of vitamin D can be administered twice or three times, with a one-month interval between doses.
Use of calcium supplements: While undergoing vitamin D treatment, oral gluconate calcium can be given at a daily dose of 1 to 3 grams, or other calcium supplements may be used.