Once a disease that was not unusual to see in children, Rickets occurrence decreased in the 20th century as vitamins became more readily available, medical information got through to more and more families and basic foods such as margarine and cereals were fortified with vitamin D in order to prevent further outbreaks. However, in recent years, the rate of Rickets in children has started to increase again, making it very important that vitamin D is included in a growing child’s diet.
The symptoms of Rickets relate to bone development and can include bone malformations along with pain and stunted growth, symptoms that will very definitely affect daily life and go with the child into adulthood. Commonly, the breaking of bones can often be a first sign that something is amiss, along with teeth that need regular filling and prolonged muscle weakness.
Vitamin D is obtained naturally through sunlight, so plenty of playing outdoors is a good thing for your child in more ways than one. It is also found in food types such as oily fish, eggs and breakfast cereals that tend to have extra vitamins added as a matter of course. As people in poorer areas are more likely to have a restricted diet, there is often more prevalent of the disease in such areas.
A lack of calcium can also be a contributing factor, so it is also important to ensure that your child is getting plenty of dairy products, bread and leafy green vegetables.
The treating of Rickets means not only increasing the amounts of vitamin D your child gets, but due to bones not forming correctly, may also mean that surgery is necessary. In order to prevent Rickets happening and such intervention being necessary, along with feeding your child the most balanced diet you can and ensuring they get adequate amounts of sunshine, a vitamin D supplement is advised. This will ensure that your child is getting an adequate amount of vitamin D whatever your personal circumstances.