In violation of metabolic processes in the child's body, various deviations are formed. Calcium-phosphorus metabolism plays an important role in the development of the skeletal system. With the appearance of hypocalcemia of any etiology, symptoms of musculoskeletal pathologies appear. The main manifestation is rickets in children. Symptoms and treatment will be considered in our article.
What is pathology
Rickets is usually diagnosed in babies under the age of two. Most of the children among the sick are premature and artificially fed. The disease is associated with a lack of vitamin D and impaired calcium metabolism.
The pathology itself does not pose a danger to the life of the baby, but the lack of effective and timely treatment will lead to negative consequences that will remain for life: skeletal deformities, flat feet, malocclusion and others.
The essence of the disease is as follows:
- Calcium deficiency in bones makes them soft. Any load leads to deformation. The lack of important trace elements provokes disruptions in work and otherinternal organs.
- Impaired balance of trace elements leads to the addition of bacterial and fungal infections. To correct the situation, the body strengthens the work of the parathyroid glands, which leads to the leaching of calcium from the bones. This only aggravates the situation even more. A lack of vitamin D not only provokes the symptoms of rickets in children, but also a disorder of all types of metabolism.
Causes of disease development
All causes of rickets can be divided into three groups:
- Vitamin D deficiency in the female body during the period of bearing a baby.
- Deficiency in the child's body after birth.
- Impaired absorption of calcium and vitamin D in the child's digestive tract.
The formation of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus depends entirely on the diet of the mother. Improper nutrition with a low content of vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium leads to pathologies in the child's skeleton.
In a normal pregnancy, the body of a newborn has some supply of these substances. To prevent rickets (photos of symptoms in children confirm the severity of the pathology), breastfeeding or supplemental vitamin D intake should be provided.
The following factors can provoke symptoms of rickets in a baby after birth:
- Vitamin D deficiency in breast milk.
- Feeding formulas with a low content of substances important for the formation of the musculoskeletal system.
- Tightswaddling babies. Now it is practically not practiced, but this reason cannot be discounted, since it is this fact that provokes the development of rickets.
- Taking anticonvulsants.
- Feeding with cow's milk, and it is poorly absorbed by the baby's digestive tract.
- Untimely introduction of complementary foods. By six months, it is important to introduce vegetable and meat purees into the baby's diet. The predominance of cereals in the children's diet, especially semolina, contributes to the formation of a deficiency of minerals.
- Symptoms of rickets in children 3 years old can be observed against the background of the predominance of plant foods in the diet, and vitamin D is absorbed from it much worse.
- Not getting enough outdoors. Children born in the autumn-winter period are especially affected by this.
- Chronic diseases of the digestive tract. For example, enteritis leads to a violation of the absorption of many substances, which causes the appearance of symptoms and signs of rickets in children.
- Presence of kidney disease.
- High concentration in the body of lead, strontium, chromium. They have a destructive effect on bone structures.
- Hereditary characteristics of low bone density.
- Endocrine disorders.
- Prematurity. The appearance of a baby prematurely is often a trigger for the development of rickets.
In addition to the obvious reasons, some risk factors can be identified:
- Large newborn body weight. This requires an increased intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
- Multiple pregnancy. Developing babies in the womb are deficient in phosphorus and calcium.
- Dark complexion. It has been proven that such children, under the influence of ultraviolet rays, produce much less vitamin D.
When multiple causes or precipitating factors are combined, children are more likely to develop symptoms of rickets.
Features of metabolic failure in the body
Given the peculiarities of metabolic processes, signs of rickets are also distinguished.
- Calcium deficiency causes calcium-penic form of rickets, which is manifested by deformation of bone structures. Expressed neuromuscular irritation, disturbed heart rhythm, sleep. This form is characterized by a rapid course and a catastrophic decrease in calcium in the blood and serum.
- The phosphorus-deficient form is marked by the child's lethargy, lethargy, and decreased muscle tone. Dystrophic changes in bones are caused by the rapid growth of osteoid tissues.
- Mild form of calcium-phosphorus deficiency is manifested by small bone deformities, neuromuscular disorders are barely noticeable or absent.
Stages of development of rickets
If the pathology proceeds without complications, then several periods of development are distinguished:
- Beginner.
- The peak period of symptoms.
- Reparation.
- Recovery.
Each stage is characterized by the manifestation of its symptoms and signs.
First manifestationsrickets
Mommies can notice the first manifestations of pathology already in their monthly baby. The symptom of rickets in infants, which is a bald spot on the back of the head, is clearly visible in the photo below.
The first signs are:
- Baby loses appetite.
- Sleep is disturbed.
- Very sweating, especially while sleeping.
- The stool is broken, constipation is replaced by diarrhea.
- Baby startles at loud noises.
- Irritability appears.
- Bald patches appear on the back of the head. These are the symptoms of rickets in infants at the initial stage. If you start timely therapy, then there will be no negative consequences for the child's body.
If left untreated, the disease progresses and other signs appear:
- The child becomes inactive, the muscles lose their tone. The baby has difficulty holding his head, cannot roll over, does not sit well.
- Teeth retarded.
- The fontanel is growing poorly.
- Standing up is difficult, so babies start walking late.
- Belly bloated.
- All symptoms of rickets progress in children. The photo below shows the curved legs.
- Impaired metabolism of trace elements leads to signs of abnormalities in the functioning of internal organs: the liver enlarges, the cardiovascular system suffers.
- The child not only lags behind in growth, but also suffers from his mental development.
The height of the disease is characterized by tremblingbaby's chin. But even these symptoms of rickets in children under one year old quickly pass if diagnosed and treated.
Degrees of disease
There are several degrees of rickets:
- The first is considered the easiest. There are slight changes in the bones of the skull, the handles are slightly bent. The psychomotor development of the child does not suffer, there is hypotension and a decrease in the level of calcium in the blood.
- Second. Bone deformities are pronounced, there is a lag in motor skills, lesions in the nervous system, there are disturbances in the work of the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Most often, such symptoms of rickets are observed in children after a year.
- 3 degree is the most severe. There are multiple bone deformities. Severe anemia, disorders in all organ systems, and developmental delays in the child are diagnosed. The curved collarbones, legs are clearly visible, the stomach flattens out, and the head takes on an angular shape with a large frontal protrusion.
When severe, many babies refuse breasts or bottles of formula because sucking reflexes are lost.
It is important to remember that psychosomatics can be treated, and severe dental defects and skeletal deformities will remain forever.
Rare forms of rickets
As a rule, the disease begins to manifest itself clearly a few months after the birth of the baby. Let's highlight a few forms that are rare.
- Congenital rickets. The baby is born already with all the manifestations of pathology. Developmentoccurs against the background of malnutrition of the expectant mother, diseases of her endocrine and skeletal system.
- Late form. Symptoms of rickets appear in a 5-year-old child. Excessive sweating, decreased appetite, anemia, pain in the legs and their deformity are found.
According to statistics, rickets is diagnosed most often in babies under one year old, much less often in two-year-old children and very rarely at 3-4 years of age.
Treatment of rickets
The symptoms of rickets in children will not go away on their own. Only effective treatment will get rid of the manifestations of the disease and normalize the functioning of the body. For successful therapy, the following principles are important:
- Daily walks with the child in the fresh air. Ultraviolet has a therapeutic effect on the body, increasing the synthesis of calciferol.
- Medication taking. The doctor prescribes medications containing vitamin D. The dosage should be selected only by a specialist. Saturation of the body with a vitamin is no less dangerous than its deficiency.
- Rational nutrition. If the baby is only breastfed, then mommy should reconsider her diet. If complementary foods are introduced, it is imperative to ensure the availability of foods containing vitamin D.
- Physiotherapy treatment. Ultraviolet irradiation procedures can increase bone density in a child and improve the general condition of a child. All procedures should be prescribed only by a doctor.
Self-medication is unacceptable to eliminate the symptoms of rickets in children under one year old. A photo,presented above confirm the severity of the pathology.
Drug therapy
This treatment involves taking drugs containing vitamin D. The most common among them is Aquadetrim. The drug does not accumulate in the child's body and is well excreted by the kidneys.
The dosage is selected in each case individually, taking into account the severity of symptoms of rickets in children. But some mothers note that allergic reactions are possible with the start of treatment. What to do in this case?
In such situations, the doctor prescribes vitamin D3 oil solutions:
- Vigantol.
- "Videin".
- Devisol.
Oil preparations rarely provoke allergies, but there is another minus - such medicines are not recommended to be prescribed if the baby has dysbacteriosis or disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.
Regardless of the type of medicine, the dosage should only be prescribed by the attending physician. An overdose is dangerous, and you can suspect it by the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite.
- Child becomes lethargic.
- Nausea and vomiting appear.
- Convulsions.
- Breathing difficult.
- Slow heart rate.
When such reactions of the body appear after taking vitamin D, stop giving the baby medicine. This must be reported to the doctor.
Prove the danger of rickets in children and photos of symptoms. Treatment is possible only with preparations containing a vitaminD. At present, it is impossible to get rid of the pathology by other means. All of them can only act as a supportive treatment.
There is a dietary supplement "K altsid", but it is good for prevention, and with severe symptoms of rickets, it is difficult to achieve a positive result with its help.
Non-specific therapy
This treatment is aimed at improving the absorption of calcium in the body. For this purpose, appoint:
- Aqueous solution of "Sodium Citric Acid".
- "Dimephosphon".
- Potassium Orotate.
If the content of the trace element is reduced, then Calcium Gluconate will help. It is important to take medication during the treatment period to strengthen the body. Suitable complexes with vitamin C and B.
If the baby has pronounced symptoms of rickets, the doctor prescribes large doses of vitamin D. In this case, the importance of taking calcium supplements can hardly be overestimated, because there is a danger of a sharp decrease in the mineral in the blood, and this is fraught with convulsions.
Features of food
If the first symptoms of rickets are found in children and treatment is prescribed, then do not forget to review the diet. Given that it is with food that all important vitamins and minerals enter the body, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- If rickets is found in a baby, then complementary foods are introduced to such children earlier than he althy ones. It is better not to abuse fruit purees, but to include pureed meat, liver, yolk in the menuchicken egg.
- Porridge can be given to a child once a day and it is better to cook it with vegetable broth.
- It is useful to give the baby puree from carrots, zucchini. The first fruit puree should be apple. Start with half a teaspoon and build up to 150 grams by six months.
- If the baby receives artificial mixtures, then 10-15 drops of lemon juice should be given per day. Vitamin C contained in it promotes better absorption of trace elements and regulates the functioning of the parathyroid gland.
- Fatty foods to a minimum, excess lipids reduces the absorption of mineral s alts.
In addition to drug therapy and rational nutrition, every day the child should be in the fresh air for at least 2 hours. At the same time, it is not necessary to keep the baby in the open sunlight, it is even harmful. It is enough if it is in the shade of trees.
Folk remedies against rickets
If symptoms of rickets are found in children under one year old, you can use some folk advice:
- Useful baths with the addition of a decoction of pine needles. It is enough to add a teaspoon of coniferous broth per liter of water to the bath. The duration of the procedure takes 10-15 minutes.
- If the baby is lethargic, s alt baths are recommended. To do this, 2 tablespoons of s alt are taken per 10 liters of water, preferably sea s alt, but regular s alt is also suitable. After the procedure, be sure to rinse the baby with clean water.
- With calcium deficiency for children after a year, you can use a composition that contains: finely chopped eggshell, a quarter cup of juicelemon and 200 ml of water. Give to child before meals.
Recipes of traditional medicine cannot act as independent methods of therapy. They can only be used as an aid.
Consequences of complicated rickets
If the disease is complicated, detected late, and treatment is ineffective, then catastrophic consequences can be expected:
- Curvature of the spine and the formation of a hump.
- Narrowing of the pelvis, which leads to the development of dysplasia.
- Flat feet.
- Crooked legs.
- The shape of the head becomes asymmetrical.
- Growths and bumps form on the bones.
- The liver and spleen increase in size.
- Looseness appears in the joints.
It is possible to prevent consequences that are terrible for the baby's he alth only with a timely diagnosis and effective therapy.
Prevention of rickets
Above we looked at the symptoms and treatment of rickets in children. Prevention of pathology is very important. It is she who will help to avoid serious illness. It is necessary to start immediately after the woman learned the good news that she will soon become a mother. Prevention in this interesting position should be as follows:
- Observe daily routine.
- Provide proper rest for the body.
- Spend enough time outdoors every day.
- Balance the diet and make sure that there are foods containing all important trace elements and vitamins on the table.
- If there is evidence, do not refuse to takevitamin D in late pregnancy.
Unfortunately, even prevention cannot guarantee 100% that the baby will never face the symptoms of rickets. Therefore, prevention should be continued after the baby is born. It will consist of the following activities:
- Provide breastfeeding for the baby, but at the same time mommy should not forget about her full and rational nutrition.
- If breastfeeding is not possible, then with the help of a pediatrician, choose the most balanced and high-quality milk formula.
- Provide motor mode. Tight swaddling is already a thing of the past, from birth, the baby should be able to freely move arms and legs, because movement stimulates the formation of bone tissue.
- Regularly massage your baby and do gymnastics. Regular exercises and fitball exercises will do.
- Stick from the first days of a certain daily routine.
- Perform hardening procedures, but this should be done regularly. The exception is the days when the baby is sick.
- Daily outdoor walks.
- Take vitamin D prophylactically, but at the dosage recommended by the doctor.
- If the baby was born prematurely, then two weeks after birth, "Ergocalciferol" is prescribed as a course, then a citrate mixture and ultraviolet irradiation.
In children 2 years old, the symptoms of rickets are already maximally pronounced if the pathology is not detected in the early stages and appropriate therapy is not carried out. Giventhe deviation occurs due to the fault of the disturbed metabolism of minerals and vitamins, therefore it is easily treatable. It is only important for parents to be more attentive to the he alth of their babies and pay attention to any suspicious symptoms.
