The Development of Rickets in Children and Nursing Contributions to Treatment

Rickets is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in children in the developing world. It is often found in cultures in which children follow strict vegetarian diets and are not exposed to vitamin D-enhanced foods. While a rare occurrence, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets may be the most frequent type of the disease seen outside the Third World today. However, there is not much credible information on the extent of the development of rickets. Therefore, pediatric nurses must be able to recognize children at risk and provide best practice care for the prevention and treatment of rickets. When caring for children in hospitals, communities or classrooms, nurses play a vital role in identifying children at risk for hypovitaminosis D and advising families to, if possible, follow safe diets and take supplements in order to avoid health complications associated with low levels of vitamin D. This study examines the prevalence and variables contributing to rickets, including hypovitaminosis vitamin D, the consequent orthopedic problems and the role of nurses in preventing and managing the pathogenesis of rickets and ultimately avoiding extreme deficits that result in bone deformities and the need for corrective surgery.