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Rickets--not only the "English disease".
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica. Supplement
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency causes nutritional rickets globally, particularly in darker-skinned children, even in sunny regions. Addressing dietary factors and sunlight avoidance through supplementation and education can prevent this disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Nutritional rickets, caused by vitamin D deficiency, remains a significant global health issue affecting infants and children.
- Incidence is paradoxically high in tropical/subtropical regions and among specific populations (e.g., dark-skinned individuals) in temperate zones.
- Pathogenesis involves social/cultural factors like diet, sun avoidance, urbanization, prolonged breastfeeding, and malnutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the global prevalence and contributing factors of nutritional rickets.
- To discuss potential differences in vitamin D metabolism based on skin pigmentation.
- To emphasize preventive strategies for vitamin D deficiency rickets.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nutritional rickets epidemiology and pathogenesis.
- Discussion of factors influencing vitamin D levels and metabolism.
- Analysis of social, cultural, and environmental determinants.
Main Results:
- Nutritional rickets is a worldwide problem, often underestimated in sunny climates.
- Darker skin pigmentation, certain diets, lack of sunlight exposure, and malnutrition are key risk factors.
- Emerging research suggests variations in vitamin D metabolism between different skin types.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency rickets is preventable through targeted interventions.
- Maternal and infant vitamin D supplementation is crucial.
- Public health education promoting vitamin D-rich diets and adequate sunlight exposure is essential.