NUTRITION DISORDER (RICKETS)

Rickets is a softening of bones in children due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D , magnesium , phosphorus or calcium . Rickets could potentially lead to fractures and deformity . Most cases occur in children who suffer from malnutrition due to starvation . but the condition is also common in adults called osteomalacia.

The main cause of rickets is a deficiency of vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption from the intestine.  In the absence of vitamin D, calcium will not be absorbed, consequently can cause hypocalcemia, bone and tooth defects and neuromuscular symptoms eg hyperexcitability. However shortage of adequate calcium in the diet can also cause rickets, such as severe diarrhea and vomiting. But, there is also rickets resistant to vitamin D, in which the disease is a hereditary disease, which is the dominant gene carried by the X chromosome is defective gene that causes abnormalities in the kidneys that allow the release of phosphate into the urine so that the body is deficient in phosphate.

Signs and symptoms of rickets include:

• bone pain
•  dental problems 
•  muscle weakness
•  increases bone fracture eformity order

o   Toddlers: crooked legs (genu varum)

o   Older children: Knock-knees (genu valgum) or "windswept knees", Cranial, spinal  and pelvic defects

• · Impaired growth
•  Hypocalcemia (low blood kasium), and Tetany (muscle spasms).

Consequences that can  be caused by disease rickets is: 

•  limitation of motion
•  Lower limb motor disorders in children such as late to be able to stand, crawl, or walk stunted growth
•  Difficulty supporting the body with the feet
•  Easy occur or greenstick fractures
•  Abnormal bone shape

Foods containing vitamin D are butter, eggs, fish liver oils, margarine, milk and juice, and oily fish such as tuna, herring, and salmon. However, a source of vitamin D can also be obtained from sunlight.

Treatment.
by consuming foods that contain or sources of vitamin D, supplements that contain vitamin D, sunlight (15-20 minutes each day).