The symptoms of rickets have been known since ancient times,in the year 200 AD, Roman physician Galen conducted experiments on the normalization of the state of bones by using cod fat. Over time, the disease was described in more detail, the Englishman orthopedic doctor Gleason became the author of the works. The problem is based on a lack of vitamin D, which is involved in the absorption of calcium by the body, the result is a curvature or weakness (pathology) of the bone apparatus. Consider some indicators pointing to the problem.
Signs of rickets
Photos of patients suffering from vitamin deficienciesalways make a depressing impression. Depending on the level of lack of elements, the disease progresses. These are the indicators that may indicate a problem.
Mild form of rickets
For her characters:
- the nervousness, anxiety and excitability of the child, which are manifested in crying without reason, poor sleep;
- some growth delays;
- slow delaying of the fontanel, the flexibility of the bones of the skull;
- in children with a mild form of the disease, there is a flat nape;
- bad teeth grow, brittle hair, delayed psychomotor development and sweating.
Moderate form of rickets
The above signs for this stage are more pronounced, as well as other indicators are present:
- the head has an unusual shape;
- chest deformity, rib bulging or hollow;
- the chest and stomach are separated by the Harrison Groove;
- frog belly;
- hand tremor, increased fatigue;
- deformation of the bones of the legs, which look like the letter "X" or "O";
Heavy Form
In addition to the above signs are observed:
- a pronounced lag, both in mental development and in physical development;
- the child has deformed body parts such as the chest, arms, skull, legs;
- the baby can neither walk nor sit without the help of a stranger;
- breathing problems, rapid heartbeat, enlarged liver;
- bone fragility.
Symptoms of rickets
At first, the child simply becomesrestless, he has reduced appetite, poor sleep, sweating, and often constipation. Such manifestations notice after 8 weeks of life of the baby. Further, if you do not take action, the disease will begin to progress. That is, after 2-4 weeks of the initial stage, the symptoms of rickets will become more pronounced. At this stage there are defects in the skeleton, which are detected on the X-ray, then - the change in the size of internal organs; change of the chest, separating it from the abdomen by the sulcus. Flat skull bones soften, the fontanel does not grow, the back is bent. In the absence of proper emergency treatment, everything will become much worse, up to the curvature of the legs and arms, a delay in the growth of teeth. Muscles are susceptible to hypotension: children who have such symptoms of rickets, can attract the legs to the head and put the foot on the shoulders. At the last stage of the disease in the child’s body, there are not enough basic vitamins, the liver and the heart do not work well, persistent pneumonia due to chest deformity, which causes disruption of natural ventilation.
Consequences of rickets
If the disease is recognized at the initial stage, serious consequences can be avoided, and if negligence was shown and the child has a severe form of the disease, then the consequences will be disappointing:
- violation of posture;
- curvature of the legs, changing the shape of the skull, as a consequence - mental retardation;
- a change in the bones of the chest will lead to permanent lung diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis;
- for girls, rickets can mean problems with the birth of children, especially if the bones of the pelvis are altered;
- frequent bone fractures due to their weakness, weak physical activity;
- development of anemia;
- bite change and reduced immunity.
Conclusion
Like any other disease, rickets should be treated immediately, without waiting for irreversible changes.
