There were many issues about the signs of rickets in children with Komarovsky, this topic was also raised in specialized publications, popular science magazines. More than once it was considered in the media, so many modern people know the name of the disease in itself. Unfortunately, medical literacy is still not high enough, so the first signs of pathology are not known to everyone. Orientation in them is especially important for parents of young children susceptible to such a disease. Imagining how rickets begins, you can notice something was wrong in time and send the child for a medical examination in order to clarify the diagnosis.
General view
Most often, signs of rickets in a child are observed at the most tender age. Often, pathology is diagnosed in babies who are breastfeeding, although at an older age, it also occurs. Rickets is usually called such a disease in which the processes of the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium are improper in the body. A variety of factors can provoke such a problem, but deficiency in the tissues of calciferol is most common. The human body is so arranged that these compounds are indispensable for metabolic processes involving phosphorus, calcium, which means that its lack affects the concentration of active components, and therefore, the health of the child.
From medical practice it is known that signs of rickets in a child more often appear already in the first few months after birth. Another surge is observed during the first year of life. Somewhat less often, cases of the disease are detected at an older age. It is known that the risk group includes all children living in the northern regions. But gender does not play any role, on average, the frequency of occurrence of pathology among boys and girls is the same. Vitamin D deficiency in the tissues of the body becomes the cause of improper metabolism, which affects the bone tissue - it loses its strength. If metabolic processes are disturbed very severely, the problem is accompanied by rather severe symptoms. The very first signs are usually detected by a doctor during a routine examination - parents are required to show children to pediatricians with a certain frequency. This helps to notice the difficulty in time, take measures for treatment. Rickets is a rather peculiar disease, therefore its diagnosis is quite simple, it is almost impossible to make a mistake.
Where did the problem come from?
Various factors can lead to a disease, leading to a shortage of calciferol in the tissues of the body. Often, the child is simultaneously affected by several important reasons, which becomes the cause of the violations. The main task of the doctor is not just to notice the signs of rickets in the child on time, but also to understand what triggered the pathological condition. By correctly identifying and eliminating the causes, you can achieve a full recovery. It is known that most often rickets affects babies who are breast-feeding, and the first manifestations are observed before reaching the age of three months. If the disease is easy, a complete absence of manifestations is possible, and this complicates the diagnosis, does not allow treatment to start on time. There are many cases when an accurate diagnosis could be made only by the third year of the patient's life.
Quite often, signs of rickets in a child are observed against a background of malnutrition. At risk are primarily babies who are quickly transferred from human milk to artificial products. From the age of one year and older, calciferol deficiency is explained by an unbalanced diet and an inferior nutrition program. Rickets often develops if the child is kept on a vegetarian diet, in conditions of insufficient food of animal origin. It is known that more often the disease affects babies living in the northern areas. This is due to a lack of sun, under the influence of which vitamin D is produced in quantities necessary for a healthy person. Normally, ultraviolet (in reasonable amounts) should influence the skin of the child in order to activate chemical reactions, whose chain leads to the formation of calciferol in the tissues of the body. If the region where the child lives has a long winter, a short day, the risk of rickets is greater. This is especially noticeable in comparison with statistics on child morbidity in southern countries.
Reasons: what else are there?
It is known that often signs of rickets in children after gastrointestinal diseases are manifested. The risk is high if the child is ill with intestinal diseases. Enteritis, especially in a chronic form, provokes a violation of the absorption processes of useful components that enter the body with food, therefore, there is a deficiency of useful, irreplaceable components in the tissues of the body. This leads to a shortage of not only calciferol, but also many other vital compounds. If chronic enteritis is detected, it is important to start timely treatment, otherwise it will not be possible to cope with the manifestations of rickets.
Often there are signs of rickets in children under 1 year old if the babies are born prematurely. Prematurity, as well as diseases that began during the gestation period, provokes a variety of health disorders, including the insufficiency of various components. Birth ahead of time is perhaps the most common factor leading to rickets in newborns. This is due to the incompleteness of the processes of formation of internal organs at the time of independence from the mother's body. If the development proceeded with violations, it provokes numerous health problems. Some appear immediately after birth, others make themselves felt later. Rickets will not be an exception.
It's time for the doctor!
Rickets is a disease that progresses gradually. Modern doctors know several stages that successively change each other. So, the first sign of rickets in a child up to a year is vegetative disturbances, which can be seen from the mood of the child, his behavior. Sick children are nervous, easily and quickly irritated, even on irrelevant occasions. Formerly attractive games for them cease to occupy, it becomes difficult to arouse interest in anything. Many babies restrict mobility and avoid active movements. This period extends for a month, although deviations in duration are sometimes possible. Having noticed the signs, you should already sign up to the doctor to assess the condition of the child. Perhaps the doctor will immediately prescribe a set of tests to determine the condition of the child.
Signs of rickets in children under 1 year of age include active sweat, and the liquid acquires a specific unhealthy odor. The patient has acidic, caustic sweat, and copious excretion of such a substance leads to irritation of the skin. Many kids get sweating. Sick islets of the skin of the children quickly comb, which is noticeable to any attentive parent. The change in smell is due to improper chemical reactions in the body, because of which the composition of the secreted secretion, electrolytes, changes. To bring these processes back to normal, it is necessary to establish a metabolism.
What's next?
At the end of the first stage of the disease, new signs of rickets in children are observed. Photos on the World Wide Web show that quite a lot of children are faced with this stage of the disease, while adequate treatment has not yet begun. This is due to various reasons, often - a simple inattention of parents, an irresponsible attitude. The height of the disease manifests itself with a variety of symptoms, is difficult to tolerate by patients. Deformation of bone tissue is rapidly observed. The flat, tubular bones are most susceptible to abnormal changes, since it is precisely these bones that develop especially actively during this period of growing up. If a child with rickets gets an appointment with a doctor during this period, he will not be able to identify a pathology - manifestations are characteristic, not characteristic of other disorders, immediately noticeable with the naked eye. In some cases, the symptoms are very severe, in other patients its severity is somewhat weaker. From the age of one year and older, rickets rarely occurs in severe form.
What to look for?
The most characteristic sign of rickets in children 3 years old is a curvature of the spine. During the examination, the doctor notes that the clavicles also have an irregular structure - thickness, density differ from the norm, the bones protrude forward. Examination of the chest shows the disrupted architecture of this department of the body. The ribs become flat, and the gaps between them change relative to the norm. There are many cases when rickets manifested itself as a specific sign - a modification of the sternum in the lower third. This section may protrude forward or be depressed. This condition is popularly called "chicken breast." The course of such processes leads to a sharp change in the appearance of the child. However, the “shoemaker’s chest” appears only if rickets has developed strongly, it was not possible to identify the disease on time and begin adequate treatment. If the diagnosis is made in a timely manner, measures are taken to improve the baby's health, such changes can be avoided.
Another obvious sign of rickets in children is a modification of the legs. The limbs take on a form similar to the letters "O", "X". This manifestation of the disease is especially pronounced by the age of five, although sometimes you can see it before. In order to notice something wrong in time, you need to pay attention to the appearance of the child from different angles. The easiest way to notice the incorrect development of the legs, if you look at the baby from the side.
Muscles and bones
Signs of rickets in children 3 years old include reduced muscle tone. In this case, pathological conditions are observed that affect not only muscle fibers, but also the nervous system. If you put the child on his back, you can see a kind of deformation, known for a long time as a "frog stomach". Examining the patient’s stomach, one can notice that in this area the tissues seem to flatten, hang down on the sides. The phenomenon is explained by low muscle tone, which is especially pronounced in the tissues forming the abdominal wall in front.
At the same time, signs of rickets in children after a year include bone deformities. A change in the skeleton affects the functionality of internal systems, organs. Violation of the structure of the chest leads to a small volume of the lungs, impaired ventilation, becomes the cause of emphysema and other diseases. Improper breathing affects the tone of the vascular system, blood flow. In total, all these changes lead to insufficient functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Problems may be relatively mild, but sometimes not only cause discomfort, but are a risk factor.
Help is needed!
Scoliosis, lack of muscle fiber tone can cause serious damage to the internal organs, which are under pressure. There are many cases where signs of rickets in children 2 years old included the malfunctioning of the spleen, liver - this is due to compression. Since bone tissue does not develop properly with calciferol deficiency, this creates the basis for numerous orthopedic pathologies, which means that urgent complex treatment is necessary.
It is known that the most striking signs of rickets in children under 1 year old and at an older age usually last several months - this is how much the height of the pathology continues. To bring the condition back to normal, it is necessary to come to the doctor as soon as possible to select a therapeutic course. All the doctor’s recommendations will have to be executed very clearly and accurately - the future of the baby depends on this. If it was possible to determine the pathology in time and start the fight against it, soon the child’s condition becomes better, the appearance gradually changes to healthy. The recovery period, treatment take 2-4 months, sometimes six. If the baby is ill with a severe form of pathology, the symptoms may persist for several more years. If a child undergoes a rehabilitation course prescribed by a doctor, it will be possible to completely eliminate all the consequences of rickets.
Define: important is right
If, according to the signs of rickets in children under 1 year old, it was possible to make a timely and accurate diagnosis, it is possible to prevent the patient’s serious condition in time. As in the case of any other disease, with rickets, the best prognoses for those who went to the clinic, as soon as the disease has just begun. Diagnostics performed on time help prevent complications (some of them appear years later), as well as make the child active, interested. The most reliable method for determining rickets is to undergo regular examinations by a qualified pediatrician. Carrying out the examination, the doctor, noting suspicious signs, can prescribe special tests to clarify the patient's condition. This helps to evaluate how the violations are expressed, how the diagnosis is correctly formulated, what causes provoked the disease.
The first signs of rickets in children under one year old, visible from laboratory tests, are changes in the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the circulatory system. Normal parameters: 2.5-2.7 mmol / L for calcium, the second element should be present in a concentration of 1.3-2.3 mmol / L. If the analyzes show parameters lower than the indicated values, it is already possible to talk about an abnormal metabolism, which means there is reason to diagnose rickets. To clarify the diagnosis, an alkaline phosphatase test is done. The active compound takes part in the metabolic processes of phosphorus, calcium. Normal values are within 200 U / L, and large concentrations indicate problems.
Checks and Measurements
If the first signs of rickets in children appear, it is necessary to conduct examinations not only of the appearance, but also of the condition of the internal organs. To do this, first of all, they are sent to an X-ray to reveal the fact of the presence of deformities of bone tissue. The disease can provoke skeletal architecture problems, best reflected precisely by the method of radiography. A correctly conducted examination helps to detect “rickety bracelets”, “rosary”, irregular structure, shape, curvature of the spine, abnormalities in the development of the chest, and compaction in the tubular bones at an early stage. True, they are sent to an X-ray only in situations where the tests have already confirmed the primary suspicions of the doctors - radiation exposure is categorically not recommended without strict testimonies.
At the first signs of rickets in a child, they can be referred for CT. Indications for such a study are similar to those with which X-rays are recommended. A distinctive feature of tomography is its high resolution, which means that the results of the study will be more accurate, more informative. CT is a modern and effective method that allows you to accurately determine how large the lesions are, how serious the disturbances provoked by the disease are. Based on these data, it is possible to choose the most effective methods of treatment, rehabilitation of the patient.
Hazards and Risks
If there are signs of rickets in children 2 years old, while adults do not take measures to help the child, the results may be the most deplorable. In general, the prognosis is determined precisely by accurate and timely diagnosis, the correct start of therapy. A disease established in the early phase rarely provokes complications, but a pathology detected late can lead to a variety of consequences. To cope with them, you have to go through a long rehabilitation course. Of the consequences developing with a relatively high frequency, curvature of the legs, malocclusion, and a decrease in muscle tone should be noted. Mostly, the changes are weak, and a long recovery from illness with the practice of rehabilitation techniques helps to correct the consequences.
As soon as signs of rickets in children are detected , treatment should be started immediately, and not by home methods, but under the supervision of a qualified doctor. The first stage is a therapeutic approach. The doctor selects a treatment program and prescribes the frequency of tests to monitor effectiveness. It is necessary to constantly evaluate the condition of the patient. You should urgently see a doctor if there is no increase in activity, improvement in the patient’s well-being. The very first thing parents need to do is introduce walks with the child into daily practice.Being in the sunshine is vital for a child with rickets. Ultraviolet light improves the condition of the body by stimulating the production of calciferol in the body. Every day you need to walk in the fresh air. Consistency, regularity is the key to a reliable lasting result of such a relatively simple measure that does not require any special costs.
What will help?
If there are signs of rickets in children under one year old, the doctor may prescribe medications containing vitamin D. Mostly, they are recommended to be soluble in water. The doctor chooses specific doses, focusing on the condition of the child. Do not choose a dose yourself, you can harm the children's body, hypervitaminosis provokes various consequences, no less severe than a lack of vitamin.
To eliminate the signs of rickets in children up to a year, you will have to normalize the baby’s nutrition. If medications are prescribed for a child, it is important that you talk to your doctor about the nutrition program. This helps prevent hypervitaminosis. If the child eats on his own, the menu must include products containing calciferol. They are most rich in eggs, milk and products made on it, meat, including poultry. To increase the effectiveness of such a program, physiotherapy is prescribed. The child is sent for ultraviolet radiation to stimulate the formation of calciferol in the tissues of the body. Improving the well-being of the patient, increasing the density of bone tissue, you can quickly achieve good results. The duration of the course is no more than 15 procedures, and each approach takes from two minutes to ten. True, in some cases, physiotherapy is contraindicated. Only a doctor can prescribe such a course, assessing the patient's condition.
Breastfeeding: features
Suspect a disease in a breast-fed baby by behavior. Kids are timid, many are inactive, they are sluggish, but often capricious. Drops of sweat are especially pronounced during feeding. The production of sweat is palpable on the head, if the baby is sleeping - on the back of the head. This is noticeable on a constantly moistened pillow. Many rub their heads on nearby objects, and this provokes active hair loss. This behavior is explained by itchy patches of skin. Lack of adequate assistance provokes muscle weakness. A child suffering from rickets, much later than healthy peers, learns to independently move, rise, sit, walk. Typically, such children have a voluminous tummy, problems with stools are common, constipation and incontinence are equally likely. But the skeletal system changes somewhat later. The nape is flattened, the head is enlarged, and knobs form on the crown of the head and forehead. Patients with rickets often have a convex forehead. Separate areas are possible where the bones soften on the head. This is characteristic of the active period of the disease, patients whose age is 3-6 months.
With rickets in an infant, the fontanel closes much later than the due date. Near the sternum, the ribs thicken, the rosary appears. This is characteristic of a return of 6-9 months, if at this time the child suffers the active phase of the disease. Examination of the chest may show pressure on the sides. Many, as practice shows, do not pay enough attention to this. It must be remembered: rickets provokes distortions of the legs, spinal column, can cause flat feet, improper pelvic structure. If a little girl has been ill with severe rickets, in the future she will have to endure complicated births. This means that even the slightest suspicion of the disease is an occasion to seek diagnosis, without waiting for the symptoms to manifest itself violently. In addition to the acute variant, rickets is subacute - in this form, the disease proceeds relatively slowly, more often forms at the age of 3-9 months, accompanied by malnutrition. Relapses are possible when the child feels better in the summer, but in winter the condition worsens.
Preventative measures
In order not to encounter signs of rickets, it is important to regularly walk with the baby and work out the correct, balanced nutrition program. The child should sleep normally. It should be a massage, accustom from birth to gymnastics. The preventive measure prescribed by the doctor is taking vitamin D in an amount of up to 500 IU. It is safe, satisfies all the needs of a developing organism. In pharmacies, the product is presented in the form of solutions on water, oily substances. It is known that D3 shows better efficiency than D2, that is, provitamins, which stimulate the generation of vitamins in the body of a child. In general, aqueous solutions are considered less hazardous than oily solutions. This is true if a large dosage of the drug is prescribed. Usually, vitamin D is prescribed as a preventative measure for the entire cold season, and in the summer, medications are stopped. There is no danger. But with an increased dosage, you should take a week break after each month of the course.