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Rickets

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 21 Mar 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presence of risk factors
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • bone pain
  • growth faltering
  • delayed achievement of motor milestones
  • bony deformities
  • muscle weakness
  • carpopedal spasm
  • numbness or paresthesias
  • tetany
  • hypocalcaemic seizures
Full details

Risk factors

  • age 6 to 23 months
  • inadequate sunlight exposure
  • breastfeeding
  • darker skin complexion
  • calcium deficiency
  • phosphate deficiency
  • family history of rickets
  • antacids, loop diuretics, corticosteroids, or anticonvulsants
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • x-ray of a long bone
  • serum calcium
  • serum inorganic phosphorus
  • serum parathyroid hormone level
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (calcidiol)
  • alkaline phosphatase and liver function tests
  • serum creatinine and urea
  • urinary calcium and phosphorus
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels (calcitriol)
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

symptomatic hypocalcaemia

ONGOING

calcium-deficient rickets: vitamin D deficiency

calcium-deficient rickets: calcium deficiency

calcium-deficient rickets: pseudovitamin D deficiency

calcium-deficient rickets: vitamin D resistance

hypophosphataemic rickets: X-linked

hereditary hypophosphataemic rickets with hypercalciuria

hypophosphataemic rickets: tumour-induced

Contributors

Authors

Carlos Palacio, MD, MPH, FACP
Carlos Palacio

Professor of Medicine

Associate Program Director

Internal Medicine Residency

Department of Medicine

University of Florida College of Medicine

Jacksonville

FL

Disclosures

CP declares that he has no competing interests.

Firas Warda, MD

Endocrinology Fellow

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

Department of Medicine

University of Florida College of Medicine

Jacksonville

FL

Disclosures

FW declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Professor Carols Palacio and Dr Firas Warda would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Robert Olney, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

RO declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Phil Fischer, MD

Professor of Pediatrics

Mayo Clinic

Rochester

MN

Disclosures

PF declares that he has no competing interests.

Zulf Mughal, MD

Consultant in Paediatric Bone Disorders

Department of Paediatric Endocrinology

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

UK

Disclosures

No disclosures

Arshag Mooradian, MD

Professor of Medicine

University of Florida College of Medicine

Jacksonville

FL

Disclosures

AM declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Rickets images
  • Differentials

    • Hypophosphatasia
    • Metaphyseal dysostoses
    • Blount syndrome
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Rickets: standard treatment guidelines
    • Clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of X-linked hypophosphataemia
    More Guidelines
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