Clinical Features of Rickets






Rickets, a disease of growing bone, occurs in children only before fusion of the epiphyses, and is due to unmineralized matrix at the growth plates.

GENERAL

  
Failure to thrive
  
Listlessness
  
Protuding abdomen
  
Muscle weakness (especially proximal)
  
Fractures
HEAD

  
Craniotabes
  
Frontal bossing
  
Delayed fontanelle closure
  
Delayed dentition; caries
  
Craniosynostosis
CHEST
  
Rachitic rosary
  
Harrison groove
  
Respiratory infections and atelectasis
BACK
  
Scoliosis
  
Kyphosis
  
Lordosis
EXTREMITIES
  
Enlargement of wrists and ankles
  
Valgus or varus deformities
  
Windswept deformity (combination of valgus deformity of 1 leg with varus deformity of the other leg)
  
Anterior bowing of the tibia and femur
  
Coxa vara
  
Leg pain
HYPOCALCEMIC SYMPTOMS

  
Tetany
  
Seizures
  
Stridor due to laryngeal spasm

Reference:
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics 18th Edition
 

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