Rickets causes a child's bones to become soft, weak and malformed, which can lead to bone deformities.
The signs and symptoms of rickets include:
- Pain – the bones affected by rickets are often sore and painful, so the child may be reluctant to walk or may tire easily.
- Skeletal deformities – these include soft skull bones, bowed legs, curvature of the spine, and thickening of the ankles, wrists and knees. The breastbone can also stick out, which is sometimes called "pigeon chest".
- Fragile bones – the bones become weaker and more prone to fractures.
- Poor growth and development – the skeleton does not grow and develop properly so the child will be shorter than average.
- Dental problems – these include weak tooth enamel, delay in teeth coming through and increased risk of cavities.
As your child gets older, the symptoms of rickets may also include:
- waddling when walking
- bent bones
- muscle weakness and pain
These symptoms can also affect adults who have soft bones (osteomalacia).
When to seek medical advice
If your child has any symptoms of rickets, such as bone pain, delayed growth, muscle weakness or skeletal problems, take them to your GP for a check-up.
