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Osteomalacia (pronounced ), known as rickets in children, where the epiphyseal growth plates are yet to seal (taken from the Greek word (rhákis), meaning "spine"), is a disorder most commonly caused by vitamin D deficiency. This results in insufficient calcium uptake by bones in developing children. It can also arise, however, from other etiologies such as rare mesenchymal tumors or any phosphate-wasting disease. Because calcium is an essential nutrient which aids in bone rigidity, the lack of it being absorbed into the body causes fragile or malformed bones, which are unable to support the weight of a growing body. Calcium or phosphorus deficiency in children is termed rickets, while that of adults is termed osteomalacia.

Although osteomalacia can occur in adults, the majority of cases occur in children with poor nutrient intake usually resulting from famine or starvation during early stages of childhood.

Manifestations of disease


Rickets causes bone pain, slowed growth in children, dental problems, muscle loss and increased risk of fractures (easily broken bones). Medical problems seen in children with rickets are

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Musculoskeletal Disorders
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About Rickets - Offers a description of the malady that includes information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Meta Description: [ Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about Rickets ]

Cornell Science News: Bangladesh Rickets Project - Reports that scientists travel to the Chakaria area to learn why the disease is so prevalent in such a sunny area.
Meta Description: [ Cornell University nutritionists and agronomists will travel to the Chakaria area of Bangladesh Oct. 6 to begin investigating why the disease rickets has been found in such a sunny place. ]

eMedicine - Rickets - Laurence Finberg, MD provides a description of the condition's pathophysiology, frequency, lab and imaging studies.
Meta Description: [ Rickets - Rickets is defined as the failure of osteoid to calcify in a growing person or animal. Failure of osteoid to calcify in the adult is called osteomalacia. Rickets occurs when the metabolites of vitamin D are deficient. Less commonly, dietary deficiency of calcium or phosphorus may produ... ]

Osteomalacia/Rickets Clinical Resources - Annotated links to resources provided by the Rural Nurse Organization Digital Library.

Rickets - Find a description of the disorder, its alternate names, the causes, incidence and risk factors.

Rickets - A description of the diagnosis and treatment of an adopted Russian child with nutritional rickets at the Alfred I. duPont Institute.

Rickets - University of Maryland Medical Center article that describes the condition. Find a discussion of causes, incidence, and risk factors.

Rickets - MayoClinic.com - Features background information provided by the Mayo Clinic. Includes a brief description of heredity.
Meta Description: [ Rickets is a severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency that leads to softening and weakening of the bones in children. ]

Rickets Is Preventable - Dr. Barbara Struempler, a nutritionist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System describes how the condition can be avoided.

Studies of A Gene for A Rare Form of Rickets Shed Light on Vitamin D Deficiencies - Feature article reports on advances in genetic research by UCSF scientists.

Vitamin D Processing and Familial Rickets - Offers a comparison between Vitamin D sensitive and resistant forms of the bone disease. Includes a general overview of bone growth and development.

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