Rickets Diagnosis

Rickets is diagnosed in a clinical setting by professionals. Initially, a doctor may press gently on the child’s bones to see if they’re soft. In particular, they’ll observe the skull, legs, chest, wrists, and ankles. Children with rickets often have softer skulls, bowed legs, a pigeon chest, and wider and thicker wrists and ankles. A pigeon chest is when the chest begins to flatten causing the breastbone to protrude. 

The physical manifestations of rickets are illustrated here. The pigeon chest, wide joints, bowlegs, and spine deformities are a few prominent features. 

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If rickets is suspected, a blood test will be done. This test will measure the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. A test may also be done to measure the amount of parathyroid hormone. If the levels of parathyroid hormone are high, that means there isn’t enough calcium in the blood and the body will start taking it from the bones. X-rays of long bones may also be taken. The x-rays and blood tests results are taken into consideration, and if the signs are all there, the child is diagnosed with rickets.

With treatment, rickets is easy to cure. But if it goes untreated, it can lead to long-term skeletal deformities, an abnormally curved spine, or dental defects. It can also poor growth.

For more information on Vitamin D and Rickets, please read: http://patient.info/doctor/vitamin-d-deficiency-including-osteomalacia-and-rickets-pro