Symptoms of rickets have been known since ancient times, back in 200 AD, the Roman physician Galen conducted experiments to normalize the condition of the bones by using cod fat. Over time, the disease was described in more detail, the English orthopedic doctor Gleason became the author of the works. The problem is based on a lack of vitamin D, which is involved in the absorption of calcium by the body, the result is a curvature or weakness (pathology) of the bone apparatus. Let's look at some indicators that indicate a problem.
Signs of rickets
Photos of patients suffering from vitamin deficiency always make a depressing impression. Depending on the level of deficiency of elements, the disease also progresses. Here are some indicators that may indicate a problem.
Mild rickets
For her characters:
- nervousness, anxiety and excitability of the child, which manifests itself in crying for no reason, bad sleep;
- some stunting;
- slow tightening of the fontanel, compliance of the skull bones;
- in children with a mild form of the disease, a flatnape;
- poorly growing teeth, brittle hair, delayed psychomotor development and sweating.
Moderate rickets
The above signs for this stage are more pronounced, and there are other indicators:
- the head has an unusual shape;
- deformation of the chest, bulging or hollow ribs;
- chest and stomach separated by Harrison's groove (groove);
- frog belly;
- hand tremor, increased fatigue;
- deformity of leg bones that look like the letters "X" or "O";
Severe form
In addition to the above signs, there are:
- the lag is pronounced, both in mental development and in physical;
- the child's body parts such as chest, arms, skull, legs are deformed;
- baby can neither walk nor sit without the help of an outsider;
- breathing problems, heart palpitations, enlarged liver;
- bone fragility.
Symptoms of rickets
At first, the child just becomes restless, he has reduced appetite, poor sleep, sweating, often constipation. Similar manifestations are noticed after 8 weeks of a baby's life. Further, if you do not take action, the disease will begin to progress. That is, after 2-4 weeks of the initial stage, the symptoms of rickets will become more pronounced. At this stage, defects appear in the skeleton, which are detected on x-rays, then - a change in the size of internal organs; chest changecells, separating it from the abdomen with a furrow. The flat cranial bones soften, the fontanel does not overgrow, the back is bent. In the absence of proper urgent treatment, everything will become much worse, up to the curvature of the legs and arms, stunting of the teeth. Muscles are prone to hypotonia: children with such symptoms of rickets may pull their legs up to their heads and put their feet on their shoulders. At the last stage of the disease, the child’s body lacks essential vitamins, his liver and heart do not work well, constant inflammation of the lungs is caused by chest deformity, which disrupts the natural ventilation of the lungs.
Consequences of rickets
If the disease is recognized at the initial stage, serious consequences can be avoided, and if negligence was shown and the child has a severe form of the disease, then the consequences will be disappointing:
- violation of posture;
- curvature of the legs, a change in the shape of the skull, as a result - mental retardation;
- changes in the bones of the chest will lead to permanent lung diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis;
- for girls, rickets can mean problems with childbearing, especially if the pelvic bones are changed;
- frequent bone fractures due to weakness, poor physical activity;
- development of anemia;
- Change in bite and reduced immunity.
Conclusion
Like any other disease, rickets must be treated immediately, without waiting for irreversible changes to appear.
