Consequences of rickets
The classic consequences of revengeitis include multiple bone deformations, especially in the spine, legs and ribcage, which can lead to slight to massive physical limitations in everyday life. In addition, growth disorders can also occur. In the same way, generalized muscle weakness often makes itself felt in everyday life.
Poor tooth formation and a limited immune system can also be counted among the consequences of rickets, whereby the latter can lead to increased infections, which can have a strong influence on the feeling of health. Due to the increased muscular excitement in the context of rickets, muscle cramps or even seizures can occur more frequently. To prevent rickets, the daily administration of vitamin D3 in tablet form is recommended in Germany for infants in their first year of life.
The dose is 500 I. E. per day, which is considerably higher than the actually recommended daily dose of 200 I. E. However, the German Society for Social Pediatrics would like to compensate for possible forgotten daily doses. Furthermore, side effects due to an overdose are very rare and only occur at doses above 2000 I. U. per day. The dosage also applies to breastfed babies or bottle feeds with a stated increased amount of calcium.
In some cases it is recommended to administer the vitamin D tablet also during the second winter. Rickets is a relatively common disease caused by calcium or phosphate deficiency. It can be caused by a reduced intake, increased excretion or a congenital enzyme disorder and leads to bone deformations and growth disorders already in early childhood.
Furthermore, the calcium deficiency can cause severe muscle cramps. Rickets can be diagnosed in the x-ray image by the typical bone malpositions and can be classified with the help of various laboratory parameters into the classic vitamin D deficiency rickets or a congenital vitamin D-dependent rickets. The same applies to phosphate deficiency rickets, which are caused by kidney damage or enzyme defects.
The therapy consists in the substitution of calcium or phosphate and vitamin D3. In addition, in the case of congenital defects, the corresponding hormones and vitamin D precursors must be supplied, in some cases for life. The bone deformations can regress themselves if the calcium supply is sufficient.
In the case of pronounced deformations, a repositioning osteotomy must be performed. In Germany, rickets should be prevented by daily oral substitution of vitamin D in the first year of life.
