Rickets Human Biology
September 17, 2011

Most people know that good nutrition is important for good health. But not many people realize the importance a healthy diet can have on their health and their children’s health for years to come. A good diet helps children grow, develop, and do well in school. It also helps young and older adults to work productively and feel their best. Without a proper diet or a serious lack of nutrition a person is making his or her self susceptible to all sorts of diseases. All people, young and old, need to have a healthy and nutritional diet if they want to avoid the many diseases caused by poor nutrition.
One disease young children are at risk for is rickets. Rickets is caused by a vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus deficiency. Rickets is the softening and weakening of the bones in children. Skeletal deformities and fractures can occur because the bones are so soft and weak. Rickets can also cause dental issues, bone deformities, muscle weaknesses and several other serious health issues (Wagner & Greer, 2008).
Rickets is seen in children during periods of rapid physical development because during growth a great deal of vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium are needed. The predominant cause for rickets is a vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets. 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 (Rickets, 2010). Infants who are nursing and are not exposed to sunlight on regular bases can develop rickets. This disease is found widespread in developing countries.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its clinical report, 'Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents,’ recommends that all children, beginning in the first two months of life, receive at least 400 IU of vitamin D each day (Wagner & Greer, 2008). Research has found that the recommended 400 IU will not only help to prevent Rickets, but could also treat and cure the disease. The AAP states that the increase in vitamin D will also help children prevent Osteoporosis as adults (Wagner & Greer, 2008).
Rickets is the most common form of metabolic bone disease worldwide. Measures such as adequate sunlight exposure and dietary supplementation are simple but effective in reducing rickets. It is important to target culturally vulnerable groups and pregnant women. Preterm babies form a specific population that is particularly vulnerable to the metabolic consequences of calcium and phosphate deficiency, requiring early intervention.
Parents and caregivers need to be sure that their children are consuming enough calcium. Whether it is from fortified formulas, cow’s milk, green leafy vegetables, fortified orange juice or calcium fortified cereals these fast growing children need to meet the calcium needs of their bodies. Since all of these calcium rich foods are readily available nutritional rickets is rarely seen in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, “in unindustrialized countries, vitamin D deficiency rickets continues to be a problem”. (Definition of Rickets, 2011).
In conclusion, rickets is a nutrition related disease that can severely impact a child’s life. Rickets, the softening and weakening of bones, occurs because of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus deficiencies. Young rapidly growing children are at the highest risk for rickets, but it can easily be prevented through diet and nutrition. With the introduction of vitamin D supplementation of infant formula and milk, rickets is considered a rare disease in the United States, but it is a common occurrence still in unindustrialized countries. I strongly believe we need to reach out, help, and educate these places so that their children do not have to live with a disease that can so easily be prevented. Rickets can be treated successfully and children can lead normal lives

References
Definition of Rickets. (2011, Aprill 27). Retrieved September 11, 2011, from MedicineNet.com: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6714
Rickets. (2010, August 3). Retrieved September 11, 2011, from PubMed Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001384/
Wagner, M. C., & Greer, M. F. (2008, November). American Academcy of Pediatrics. Retrieved September 11, 2011, from Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and: http://www.aap.org/new/VitaminDreport.pdf