Patient's question:
Child has multiple rib flares and excessive sweatingDoctor's answer:
One of the symptoms of rickets in children is excessive sweating. In infancy, excessive sweating occurs because the skin contains a higher amount of moisture and has a denser distribution of small blood vessels. During the rapid growth phase, the body's metabolism is vigorous, leading to a higher sweating rate compared to adults. This helps the body evaporate excess moisture and plays a role in cooling down. However, children with rickets experience a series of pathological changes in their bodies, resulting in abnormal regulation of sweat production. This naturally manifests as significant differences in sweating amount and duration compared to healthy peers of the same age. During the day, even slight activity can cause sweating, while during naps and nighttime sleep, excessive sweating is often observed on the head, face, and upper body. When entering deep sleep, sweating may slightly decrease. The increase or decrease in sweating is related to the heightened or reduced excitability of the sympathetic nervous system.