Rickets is a softening of bones in children potentially leading to fractures and deformity. Rickets is among the most frequent childhood diseases in many developing countries. The predominant cause is a vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets (cases of severe diarrhea and vomiting may be the cause of the deficiency). Although it can occur in adults, the majority of cases occur in children suffering from severe malnutrition, usually resulting from famine or starvation during the early stages of childhood.

Symptoms:
*bone pain or tenderness
*dental problems
*muscle weakness
*increased tendency for fractures
*skeletal deformity (bowed legs, knock-knees, cranial, spinal, and pelvic deformities)
*growth disturbance
*low level of calcium in the blood
*uncontrolled muscle spasms
*soft skull
*harrison's groove
*widening of wrist

Treatment:
*increasing dietary intake of HGH
*increasing dietary intake of phosphates
*increasing dietary intake of vitamin D
*exposure to ultraviolet B light (sunshine when the sun is highest in the sky)

If you or a loved one is suffering from Rickets, talk to your doctor about treatment options.