Normal growth and development of the musculoskeletal system of the child depend on the degree of mineralization of bones and metabolism. Violation of these processes during the first 3 years of life is called rickets. This disease is well amenable to therapy, but without treatment it causes dangerous consequences.
Causes of rickets in children
To properly form the musculoskeletal system, calciferol (vitamin D) is needed. It improves the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in the intestines, so that the minerals enter the blood and are delivered to the bone tissue. In children, rickets develop with a deficiency of vitamin D, its deficiency arises for the following reasons:
- malnutrition of the mother during pregnancy and feeding;
- late toxicosis ;
- prematurity;
- taking anticonvulsant medications;
- lack of ultraviolet radiation;
- digestive disorders that interfere with the absorption of calciferol;
- feeding with unadapted formula;
- frequent infectious pathologies;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- too fast weight gain;
- climatic conditions (little sunlight);
- a bad ecological situation.
Degrees of rickets in children
The described pathology is classified into 3 groups according to the severity of its course. The main criterion of differentiation are signs, as rickets are manifested in infants:
- Easy degree. At the initial stage of the disease, the exchange of minerals is disrupted, and the bones of the skull around the fontanelle soften slightly. Serious changes in the work and development of the musculoskeletal system do not occur.
- The average degree. Progressing rickets in children provokes moderately pronounced impairment of the functions of the internal organs and the formation of the bone system.
- Heavy degree. At this stage complications of the disease begin to appear. Affected several departments of the musculoskeletal system, there are acute disruptions in the nervous and endocrine system, internal organs.
Rickets in children - symptoms
It is difficult to notice the deficiency of vitamin D in the early stages, because its clinical manifestations are not specific. Signs of rickets in children become more pronounced as a child grows up and aggravates the severity of the pathology. Parents of infants who are at risk, it is important to carefully monitor the condition of the crumb, its behavior, appetite and quality of sleep. Symptoms of rickets in children under one year are not too obvious. An early clinic of a deficiency of calciferol is easily confused with other diseases due to similar manifestations.
Signs of rickets in children under 1 year old
This disease first affects the vegetative, central and peripheral nervous system. The first signs of rickets in infants are observed mainly at the age of 3,5-5 months. Some children have a clinical picture much earlier, at 4-6 weeks of life. Parents find it difficult to detect the onset of rickets in infants - the symptoms are smeared and nonspecific:
- superficial and intermittent sleep;
- capriciousness;
- anxiety;
- increased sweating;
- occipital alopecia;
- poor appetite;
- a sour smell of sweat;
- stool disorders.
If the listed phenomena are left without attention, the pathology progresses. Later, the following signs of rickets appear in infants:
- low muscle tone;
- asymmetry and flattening of the head;
- large, unstrung fontanel ;
- protruding hillocks on the crown and forehead;
- bloated ("froggy") stomach;
- lag in the development of motor skills (the child can not turn over, sit, hold the head);
- later teething .
Signs of rickets in children after a year
Further neglect of the symptoms of avitaminosis leads to a heavier disease course. Rickets of 2nd degree in children older than 12 months have such clinical manifestations:
- curvature of the lower extremities (in the form of the letter O or X);
- thickening of the ankles;
- deformation of hands (furrows appear on wrists - "bracelets");
- hump on the back;
- increased ("Olympic") forehead;
- rachiocampsis;
- thickening on the ribs ("rosary", Garrison's furrow);
- bulges on the fingers ("strings of pearls");
- deformation of the chest;
- enlargement of the liver;
- breathing disorders;
- anemia;
- deterioration of the digestive system.
Gradually the baby begins to recover, but the acquired changes in the bone structures do not disappear. Without adequate therapy, rickets in children cause problems that prevent full-fledged life in adulthood:
- narrow pelvis;
- malocclusion;
- chest squeezed on each side;
- flat feet;
- wide ankles;
- susceptibility to infections;
- scoliosis;
- myopia;
- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
- frequent fractures.
Diagnosis of rickets in children
An experienced pediatrician is able to detect a deficiency of calciferol even with a standard examination of the child. Confirm the rickets in infants help the following studies:
- blood chemistry;
- radiograph;
- computed tomography (if necessary);
- urine samples for Sulkovich (rarely);
- ultrasound examination of the bones of the forearm.
How to treat rickets in a child?
Therapy of the described disease is a complex of nonspecific and conservative medical measures. Effective treatment of rickets in children involves both taking special medications, and adjusting the lifestyle and eating crumbs. With timely initiated therapeutic effects, the disease stops progressing, and all disorders in the body disappear.
Rickets in children - clinical recommendations
To select an individual treatment regimen should be a qualified pediatrician, independent attempts to cope with the pathology may worsen the condition of the baby. To eliminate rickets in children, the following methods are used:
- Maximally long-term breastfeeding or a high-quality adapted mixture.
- Correctly to make a diet of a crumb. The first lure should be vegetable, later it is recommended to enter the egg yolk.
- Often walk in the fresh air, especially on sunny days. It is important to leave the baby's skin open for ultraviolet rays.
- Organize the correct mode of the day, providing the child with a full rest.
- Attend massage and physical therapy sessions. Treatment of rickets in infants at an early stage involves regular swimming.
- Make crumbs of conifers and salt baths. If possible, it is advisable to take the child to the sea.
Preparations for rickets in children
Specific therapy consists in taking special medicines that restore mineral metabolism and replenish vitamin D deficiency in the body. Conservative treatment of rickets in children up to a year and older is also prescribed by a doctor. The pediatrician on the basis of the results of tests and the condition of the baby will select the most suitable preparation and calculate the effective dosage. Effective means:
- Aquadetry;
- Wigantol;
- Devisol;
- Videin.
In addition, the recommended intake of vitamin complexes:
- Biovital;
- Watering Baby;
- Multi Tabs.
Prevention of rickets in children
In advance to prevent the emergence of a deficiency of calciferol can be even at the stage of pregnancy planning:
- It is good to eat, consume enough protein.
- Regularly visit a gynecologist-endocrinologist.
- Monitor the state of the immune system.
- Often walk and walk.
- Take multivitamins for expectant mothers.
Effective prophylaxis of rickets in infants:
- adherence to the daily routine;
- hardening;
- sunbathing;
- long walks in the open air;
- active physical development;
- rational breastfeeding;
- balanced complementary feeding.
Consequences of rickets in children
Medical predictions with timely diagnosis and proper therapy of pathology are always favorable. After the correct treatment of rickets in infants without a trace, the baby grows strong and healthy. Complications of the disease occur if the vitamin deficiency was ignored and progressed. In such cases, rickets are very dangerous - consequences:
- stable deformation of bone structures;
- predisposition to caries;
- osteoporosis;
- propensity to bronchitis and pneumonia;
- infertility or difficult births due to flattening of the pelvis in girls;
- curvature of limbs and fingers;
- chronic diseases of digestion, constipation.