Symptoms of osteomalacia in children

Before a child is born, expectant mothers will have a prenatal check-up, which can reduce the rate of deformities after the baby is born. However, prenatal check-ups cannot guarantee that the baby is healthy in all circumstances. Rickets is a disease that is common in children. This disease is a huge blow to both the child himself and the family. What are the symptoms of children suffering from rickets?

Slow growth and development; large head and forehead; long trunk and short limbs, with the upper part larger than the lower part; normal intelligence; special changes in bone X-rays (dumbbell shape).

The physical signs are obvious at birth, with dwarfism being the most obvious. The limbs are short, especially the upper arms and thighs, while the trunk is normal. The child's appearance gives the impression of "an adult's torso and a child's limbs". When standing upright, the fingertips cannot touch the greater trochanter, while a normal person's fingertips can reach the upper part of the thigh.

The midpoint of normal body height is at the umbilicus, while that of affected children is at the lower end of the sternum. The head is enlarged, the face is broad, the forehead is prominent, the nose bridge is flat, the upper alveolar protrusion is prominent, and the mandible is prominent. Teething is normal. Although the thorax is of normal length, it is flat, the rib margins are turned outward, the posterior protrusion of the thoracolumbar spine is increased, the abdomen protrudes forward and the buttocks protrude backward, forming a special posture. The hands are short and broad, with the middle finger shorter than normal. Therefore, it is equal in length to the other fingers. The middle finger and the fourth finger are separated into a "V" shape.

There is often a varus deformity at the proximal end of the tibia, causing bending of the lower limb. Irregular widening of the bone ends may affect joint movement, such as limited elbow extension and forearm rotation, and wobbly gait. Muscles develop beyond normal, the skin becomes soft and loose, and wrinkles and accumulation of subcutaneous tissue form. Generally, endocrine and sexual functions are normal, and intelligence is normal.

How to treat rickets in children?

1. General treatment: Adhere to breastfeeding, add foods rich in vitamin D (liver, egg yolks, etc.) in time, and do more outdoor activities to increase the chance of direct sunlight exposure. During the stimulation period, do not let the child sit or stand for a long time to prevent bone deformities.

2. Supplement vitamin D: Take vitamin D orally every day in the initial stage. After 1 month, change to preventive doses. Take orally during the stimulation period, and change to the preventive dose after taking it for 1 month. If you cannot persist in taking the medicine or suffer from diarrhea, you can take vitamin D intramuscularly as a high-dose intensive therapy, and then switch to taking it orally in preventive doses after one month. Take calcium supplements orally for 4 to 5 days before intramuscular injection to avoid iatrogenic hypocalcemic convulsions.

3. Calcium supplements: Calcium supplements should be taken during vitamin D treatment.

4. Orthopedic therapy: Use active and passive exercises to correct bone deformities. Mild skeletal deformities will correct themselves after treatment or during growth. Physical exercise should be strengthened and active or passive exercises can be used to correct them.