Rickets that is caused by a dietary deficiency or a lack of sun exposure is treated by regular (daily) calcium and vitamin D supplements, a vitamin D injection each year, or by eating more food containing calcium.
You will be advised of the right level of calcium or vitmain D to take, this will depend on age and the cause of the rickets. People with problems absorbing vitamins may need to take a higher does.
Patients with genetic forms of rickets need slightly different treatment. For hypophosphatemic rickets, a combination of phosphate supplements and a special form of vitamin D is given. Children with other genetic forms of rickets need very large amounts of a special type of vitamin D treatment.
When rickets occurs as a complication of another medical condition, treating the underlying condition will often cure the rickets. For example, kidney disease patients with rickets may require dialysis.
If you have osteomalacia (soft bones), treatment with supplements will usually cure the condition, although it may be several months before bone pain and muscle weakness is relieved. You should continue to take vitamin D regularly, otherwise the condition will come back.
Treating complications
If your child has a bone deformity as a result of rickets, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine, your doctor may suggest treatment to correct it. This might be a special brace to position your child’s body appropriately as their bones grow, or surgery if the deformities are very bad.
Side effects of treatment
It is very unusual to get side effects from vitamin D, calcium or phosphates if they are given in the right dose. However, if doses are too high this can raise calcium levels in the blood, causing a condition called hypercalcaemia. Symptoms of hypercalcaemia include:
- passing a lot of urine,
- thirst and a reduced appetite,
- nausea and vomiting, and
- dizziness and headaches.
If you or your child has any of these symptoms you should see your GP immediately.
