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Is craniotabes a pathognomonic sign of rickets in 3-month-old infants?
Insights
Craniotabes, a common finding in infants, does not reliably indicate rickets or vitamin D deficiency in this age group. Further investigation is needed for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Radiology
Background:
- Craniotabes is a softening of the skull bones, often noted in infants.
- Vitamin D deficiency and rickets are concerns in infant health.
- The diagnostic utility of craniotabes for rickets in infants is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of craniotabes in Black infants.
- To determine the association between craniotabes, vitamin D deficiency, and rickets.
- To assess the diagnostic value of craniotabes for rickets in infants aged 10-15 weeks.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 58 well Black infants (10-15 weeks old) for craniotabes.
- Investigation for vitamin D deficiency and rickets through clinical and radiological assessments.
- Comparison of infants with and without craniotabes regarding dietary history, anthropometrics, and biochemical values.
Main Results:
- Craniotabes was present in 35 infants; 5 of these showed radiological evidence of rickets.
- No significant differences were found in dietary history, birth weight, weight gain, length, or skull circumference between groups.
- Females were significantly more likely to have craniotabes than males; most infants with craniotabes had normal biochemical values.
Conclusions:
- Craniotabes is a common finding in 3-month-old infants.
- Craniotabes alone is not a reliable indicator for diagnosing rickets in this age group.
- Further diagnostic methods are necessary to confirm rickets in infants presenting with craniotabes.
Abstract:
Fifty-eight well Black infants between the ages of 10 and 15 weeks were examined for the presence of craniotabes and investigated for the presence of vitamin D deficiency and rickets. Thirty-five infants were found to have craniotabes and 5 of these had radiological evidence of rickets. No difference in dietary history, birth weight, weight gain, length or skull circumference was found between those with and those without craniotabes. Significantly more females than males had craniotabes. The majority of infants with craniotabes had normal biochemical values. Craniotabes is a common finding in 3-month-old infants and is of no help in diagnosing rickets in this age group.