Rickets May Affect 2.9 Out Of Every 100,000 Canadian Children
You can read about this study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Canadian researchers examined reports from 2,325 pediatricians across the country over 24 months. As this survey did not include GPs (general practitioners, family physicians), they say the figure of 2.9 per 100,000 may be an underestimate. 55% of cases were found to be in Ontario.
The researchers said the incidence of rickets seems to be higher among children who were breast fed and did not receive vitamin D supplements.
What is Rickets?
It is a softening/weakening of children's bones which can lead to fractures, and even deformity. It is mainly caused by vitamin D deficiency, but can also be caused by consuming too little calcium.
It is much more common in developing countries than industrial countries. Most cases of rickets worldwide occur in children suffering from severe malnutrition. A similar condition, which can affect adults, is called Osteomalacia.
Symptoms and signs of rickets:
-- Pain/tenderness in the bones
-- Dental problems
-- Floppy baby syndrome (muscle weakness)
-- Bones fracture easily
-- Bowed legs (very young children)
-- Knock-knees (older children)
-- Deformities in the spine, pelvis and/or cranium
-- Stunted growth
-- Low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia)
-- The skull is soft
Good sources of Vitamin D
-- Sunlight (a major source)
-- Supplements
-- Cod-liver oil
-- Mackerel
-- Sardines
-- Salmon
-- Tuna
-- Egg-yolk
-- Liver
-- Milk
-- Fortified rice or soy beverage
-- Fortified margarine
"Vitamin D - deficiency rickets among children in Canada"
Leanne M. Ward MD, Isabelle Gaboury MSc, Moyez Ladhani MD, Stanley Zlotkin MD PhD
Canadian Medical Association Journal 2007;177(2):161-6
-- Click here to view article (pdf)
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Start Sanatate
Copyright: Start Sanatate
Not to be reproduced without permission of Start Sanatate
Rahitism poate afecta 2.9 din fiecare 100000 de copii canadian - Rickets May Affect 2.9 Out Of Every 100,000 Canadian Children - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate