Bone Lesions Case 5 History/Physical Exam

Rickets

Rickets is far more frequent in developing countries in populations with poor nutrition. In the United States it is primarily seen in breast fed infants (all formula and milk is fortified with vitamin D in the U.S) who do not receive vitamin D supplementation or in children with limited sun exposure. Children with renal failure are also prone to Rickets.

Patients with Rickets may have prominent frontal brow ridges, short stature, widening of their wrists, or bowing of their femur and tibia. Infants tend to have the wrist and tibia findings, whereas toddlers present with the characteristic bowing of the femurs. Children of all ages can have dental hypoplasia and decreased muscle tone with hypocalcemic rickets.