Osteomalacia and rickets are bone disorders caused by a lack of vitamin D, which is needed for proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Rickets occurs in children and osteomalacia in adults. Lack of sunlight and certain medical conditions can also cause these disorders. Symptoms include bone pain and weakness, and treatment involves vitamin D and calcium supplements.
In general, there is no difference between osteomalacia and rickets. Both are disorders in which bones soften and weaken, usually due to a lack of vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed for the body to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, which in turn make bones strong. Therefore, when there is a lack of vitamin D in the body, the bones soften and weaken, resulting in the disorder known as both osteomalacia and rickets. Rickets is the term used to describe the disorder when it occurs in children and osteomalacia is the term used to describe the disorder in adults.
The human body obtains vitamin D through diet and exposure to sunlight. Those who acquire osteomalacia or rickets as a result of their diet include those who lack sufficient intake of dairy products and those who are vegetarian. Also, breastfeeding babies can sometimes develop rickets because breast milk doesn’t provide enough vitamin D. A lifestyle that includes little or no exposure to sunlight can also cause osteomalacia or rickets. These individuals acquire the disorder from staying indoors too much or living in a climate with little sunlight.
Osteomalacia can also occur due to underlying medical conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to absorb or process vitamin D. A person with celiac disease, for example, has a small intestine with a damaged lining. This damaged lining is unable to absorb vitamin D as efficiently as a healthy lining, resulting in a vitamin D deficiency in the body. Other medical conditions that can lead to osteomalacia or rickets include cystic fibrosis, kidney or liver problems, and even some surgical procedures, such as gastrectomy. Additionally, medications used to treat seizures can also cause the disorder to occur.
Symptoms of these disorders include bone pain and muscle weakness; examples of bone pain include pain in the legs, lower spine, and pelvis. Rickets can also cause children to exhibit stunted growth, as well as skeletal deformities, such as bent legs. Treatment for both conditions involves taking vitamin D supplements and, if needed, calcium or phosphorus supplements; this method of treatment usually corrects the condition. However, the underlying conditions also play a role in the treatment of both disorders, and treatment of these conditions is essential to help with vitamin D deficiency. Finally, dental braces or surgical procedures can correct some skeletal deformities in children.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
