Despite the modern development of medicine, a disease such as rickets is common today. Only the forms of the disease are different. The most common rickets in children under one year of age, since it is during this period that the growth rate of the newborn’s body is so high that vitamin D deficiency forms. This disease mainly manifests itself in the form of bone tissue deformation , but in general rickets affects many systems in the child’s body.
Any form of rickets reduces the baby's immunity, which leads to protracted forms of colds, as well as to more difficult cure for other ailments, because severe forms of rickets can lead to anemia and degeneration of the body, that is, weakening.
In order to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to know the characteristic signs of rickets in children up to a year. Most often, they appear during the period when the baby is 2-3 months old. If your child becomes irritable, sweating of the head appears, and in some cases in the morning you can see that the pillow is wet, and then, as a result, the back of his head is balding, you need to go to the doctor and be sure to tell him about these signs.
After all, if treatment is started on time, then rickets in children under one year of age can be cured without further consequences. The task of the pediatrician is to carefully examine the child’s skull, measure the size of the fontanel and assess the condition of the cranial sutures. In addition, the onset of rickets is accompanied by bulging ribs and changes in the shape of the wrists and lower leg.
This disease is accompanied by signs such as small or too large weight gain, discoloration and smell of urine.
Pay attention to the fact that there is a certain category of babies that make up the so-called risk group, that is, especially prone to the development of rickets:
- babies born ahead of schedule;
- Newborns who are breast-fed;
- allergies;
- children taking medications as prescribed by a doctor;
- newborns who, for whatever reason, have limited motor activity.
The signs of rickets in infants are quite pronounced, your task is to not miss their appearance and draw the attention of the doctor to them. The treatment methods include wellness massage and ultraviolet radiation. In addition, in order to prevent a disease such as rickets in children up to a year, the baby should spend a lot of time in the fresh air, especially in sunny weather. After all, the sun's rays are a natural source of vitamin D. If the first months of a newborn’s life fall in the winter months, the doctor prescribes an additional vitamin intake in an oil or water solution.
You should not give vitamin D to the baby alone, without a doctor's prescription, since an excess of it can lead to serious complications. After all, the child receives it both with breast milk, and as part of an adapted mixture.
Take seriously the signs of rickets starting, do not listen to the advice of those who believe that "everyone suffers from rickets." If you do not stop the development of this disease, the skeleton of the baby takes on curved shapes, which affects the skull, limbs, and other bones. But do not worry too much if the pediatrician has diagnosed "rickets", because this disease is treated. The main thing is to start therapy on time.
Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat later, and rickets in children up to a year is no exception. A woman carrying a baby needs to eat foods that have a lot of calcium, spend enough time in the fresh air and observe a sleep and wake regime, then the baby will be calm and healthy.