Rickets disease - Treatment and cure

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Rickets disease treatment and cure involves ultraviolet B light (sunlight) exposure, nutritious food containing vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus and cholecalciferol supplements.
Rickets disease treatment and cure can be complete if it is started early during the growing age of the child.
The skeletal deformities usually improve and may disappear.
If the treatment is delayed the deformities and the short stature may become permanent requiring surgical intervention.
Treatment is done to relieve the symptoms of rickets disease and eliminate the causes of the rickets.
Replacement of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus will relieve most of the signs and cure rickets.

Rickets disease treatment and cure in infants

The lactating mother of the affected infant is immediately put on cholecalciferol and mineral supplements and if necessary given vitamin D injections for treatment and cure of rickets disease.
A diet rich in vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus is given to the mother.
She is encouraged to spend about 30 minutes in the sunlight.
The infant is also exposed to ultraviolet B light (sunlight).
Supplements are also given to the infant.

Rickets disease treatment and cure with good nutrition

Diet rich in calcium, phosphorus and cholecalciferol like fish, fortified milk, liver, fish liver oils given; eggs and fortified flour are included in daily menu for cure.

Rickets cure with sunlight

The affected child is encouraged to go out in the sun for about 30 minutes for the skin to produce vitamin D.
The affected children are encouraged to play in the sunlight for a short time.

Rickets treatment with supplements

Cholecalciferol supplements are given to boost its availability for calcium absorption from the intestine and its utilisation in the body.
Depending on the condition of the patient single dose of cholecalciferol is split into 5 oral doses and given. Alternatively cholecalciferol is given gradually for about 3 months till the symptoms are resolved.
The vitamin D is stored in the body and utilised slowly.
Intramuscular injections are also given nowadays to resolve rickets early and get total cure.

Treatment and cure for the rickets deformities

Braces and other orthopedic aids are used to help in the correction of deformities and gait in children.
If necessary corrective surgery is done to remove the deformity caused by rickets disease.

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for rickets disease prevention

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have recommended a supplement of 200 IU per day of vitamin D for all breastfed infants till they are weaned to at least 500 ml per day of fortified milk or fortified formula feed.
For those non breastfed infants who are ingesting less than 500 ml per day of fortified milk or fortified formula feed, again a vitamin D supplement of 200 IU per day is recommended.
Children and adolescents who do not get regular sunlight exposure, do not ingest at least 500 mL per day of vitamin D-fortified milk, or do not take a daily multivitamin supplement containing at least 200 IU of vitamin D are recommended to take 200 IU of vitamin D supplement daily.

Prognosis

The situation usually improves within 10 days from the start of the treatment for rickets disease and deformities may take longer time to correct.

Related topics:
Rickets disease
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Prevention
Osteomalacia (in adults)

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Treatment and cure for rickets disease.