Rickets

Uncommon card · No. 75581

Rickets (scientific nomenclature: rachitis; from Greek ῥαχίτης rhakhítēs, meaning "in or of the spine" which was chosen as a back-formation, see Etymology) is a condition that results in weak or soft bones in children and may have either dietary-deficiency or genetic causes. Symptoms include bowed legs, stunted growth, bone pain, large forehead, and trouble sleeping. Complications may include bone deformities, bone pseudofractures and fractures, muscle spasms, or an abnormally curved spine. The analogous condition in adults is osteomalacia. One can characterise a child who appears to suffer from rickets as rachitic. The most common cause of rickets is a vitamin-D deficiency, although hereditary genetic forms also exist. The condition can result from eating a diet without enough vitamin D, dark skin, too little sun exposure, exclusive breastfeeding without vitamin D supplementation, celiac disease, and certain genetic conditions. Other factors may include not enough calcium or phosphorus...

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