Rickets

Rickets is a bone disorder tied to malnutrition, whereby a critical shortage of Vitamin D, calcium or phosphate in the blood leads to compromised bone strength. Symptoms commonly include pain in the bones of the spine, hips, arms and legs; bone fractures; impaired growth; dental issues; bowlegs; abnormal curvature of the spine; and other skeletal deformities. Rickets can be treated through dietary and oral supplements, greater exposure to sunlight and treatment of an underlying metabolic disorder if one exists. However, abnormal bone structures may need to be corrected via surgery.