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Vitamin D deficiency rickets. A report on three cases
D M Kruger1, E D Lyne, M Kleerekoper
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henery Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202.
Insights
Recent pediatric cases show a rise in vitamin D deficiency rickets among breastfed Black infants. Early diagnosis and vitamin D supplementation offer effective treatment for this classic condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency rickets, a classic condition, is resurging in pediatric populations.
- Recent literature highlights this resurgence, yet orthopedic journals have not widely reported it.
Observation:
- Three cases of vitamin D deficiency rickets were observed in children aged 14-17 months.
- All affected children were young Black infants exclusively breastfed for extended durations (9-17 months).
Findings:
- Unlike previously reported cases, the families did not adhere to religious dietary restrictions causing vitamin D deficiency.
- Diagnosis was established, and simple vitamin D supplementation proved effective in treatment.
Implications:
- This study underscores the need for increased awareness of vitamin D deficiency rickets in pediatric and orthopedic practices.
- Highlights the importance of considering prolonged breastfeeding as a risk factor, irrespective of religious dietary practices.
- Emphasizes the efficacy of timely vitamin D supplementation for treating rickets.
Abstract:
A resurgence of classic vitamin D deficiency rickets has been noted in the recent pediatric literature, but no mention of it appears in recent orthopedic journals. Three cases of vitamin D deficiency rickets occurred in children whose ages ranged from 14 to 17 months. Similar to the experience of others, all three occurrences were in young black children who were sustained on breast milk for prolonged periods (9-17 months). Differing from other cases in the recent literature, the patients' families were not consuming vitamin D deficient diets to comply with religious beliefs. Simple treatment with vitamin D supplementation was effective once the diagnosis was established.