Rickets (Osteomalacia)

Rickets or osteomalacia is a condition due to the defective deposition of calcium salts in the bone matrix. In childhood it causes the condition Rickets - producing deformities in the growing bones (the word Rickets comes from the Anglo-Saxon for twisted). It is due to failure of function of vitamin D which is essential for normal mineralisation, either because of lack of dietary intake, because of malabsorption, or because of kidney or liver disease. More rarely it may be due to an inherited resistance to the effect of vitamin D. It is uncommon in the Western World, but it can occur in those whose lifestyle involves lack of exposure to sunlight. In the adult it causes pain and bony tenderness and may cause spontaneous fractures. The treatment depends upon the underlying cause.
 
 
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