adult rickets symptoms
Osteomalacia in children is known as rickets, and because of this, use of the term osteomalacia is often restricted to the milder, adult form of the disease. Signs and symptoms can include diffuse body pains, muscle weakness, and fragility of the bones. The most common cause of osteomalacia is a deficiency of vitamin D, which is normally derived from sunlight exposure and, to a lesser extent, from the diet. Occasionally, in very severe rickets, patients may develop even more serious signs and symptoms associated with very low levels of calcium or phosphate. These might include tetany (involuntary muscle contractions) or seizures. These are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment. It can also occur with calcium and phosphorus deficiency. When the disease occurs in children, it is known as rickets and tends to produce obvious skeletal deformities. The disease has more subtle manifestations in adults and may be difficult to diagnose or to differentiate from osteoporosis. Rickets is initially diagnosed clinically with a complete medical and nutritional history and with a complete physical exam by a health professional. If rickets is suspected in a child and the child has no acute symptoms such as seizures or tetany, X-rays of long bones (radius, ulna, and femur) and ribs are obtained. Rickets and osteomalacia result when there is a vitamin D deficiency in the body. This may occur when: 1  The supply of vitamin D from the diet or sun exposure is inadequate. 2  The metabolism of vitamin D is abnormal. 3  Tissue is resistant to the action of vitamin D. Measures to prevent and treat osteomalacia usually revolve around intake of vitamin D and calcium supplements. Vitamin D should always be administered in conjunction with calcium supplementation since most of the consequences of vitamin D deficiency are a result of impaired mineral ion homeostasis. The causes of adult osteomalacia are varied, but ultimately result in a vitamin D deficiency: 1  Insufficient nutritional quantities or faulty metabolism of vitamin D or phosphorus. 2  Renal tubular acidosis. 3  Malnutrition during pregnancy. In some cases repeated pressure on soft bones can lead to fractures or mild deformities. In adults, when osteomalacia is due to a vitamin D deficiency, treatment usually cures the problem within six months. In children, the disease may be arrested, although skeletal deformities may be permanent. Symptoms of Osteomalacia and Rickets. 1  Bone pain in the arms, legs, spine and especially the hips. 2  Muscle weakness, waddling gait. 3  Unexplained bone fractures or deformities. 4  Painful spasms or cramps in the face, hands and feet due to low levels of calcium in the blood (rare). Definition. Rickets (in children) and osteomalacia (in adults) are two forms of a metabolic bone disease resulting from vitamin D deficiency. Both cause softening and weakening of bones because of defective or inadequate bone mineralization. Rickets. Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
1 Bone pain in the arms, legs, spine and especially the hips. 2 Muscle weakness, waddling gait. 3 Unexplained bone fractures or deformities. 4 Painful spasms or cramps in the face, hands and feet due to low levels of calcium in the blood (rare).