Childhood Rickets

Some blame lack of sunlight, some blame the increased awareness of skin cancer, and others blame the increase in breastfeeding in America for the recent increase of rickets in children. Nevertheless, it is the lack of Vitamin D in children's body, which is the most common cause of rickets in children.

Rickets is defined as the softening of the bone causing the legs to slowly or spontaneously bow and break under pressure of your infant's body weight. Vitamin D is responsible for the deposit of calcium into children's bone. Without this vitamin, bones aren't stable.

How do you know if your child is at risk? Usually children 6 months and older develop this condition. Those with dark skin are more at risk because of the decreased sensitivity to the sun. Sunlight is essential for our bodies to synthesize vitamin D. Others, at risk includes infants that do not have exposure to sunlight frequently or children who regularly where high levels of sunscreen. Breastfed infants are also at risk because of the decreased amount of Vitamin D in breast milk. Furthermore, since vitamin D is mostly found in animal products such as fish, eggs, and milk, older children who consume a vegetarian diet are more at risk than others are.

How can you prevent it? Well it is easy to prevent this deficiency. Exposure to sunlight daily will help your child synthesize this vitamin. About 30 minutes a day is long enough. You can achieve this by taking a walk each day or by scheduling an outdoors play date. Darker children may require more sunlight. You can also supplement breastfeeding with formula, to ensure an adequate level of Vitamin D. In older children, milk is an excellent source of Vitamin D. You can also request a supplement from the pediatrician.

Please, don't allow the threat of rickets scare you away from breastfeeding: the benefits far outweigh the risks. If you have any concerns, consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider.

For more information:

http://health.yahoo.com/health/Diseases_...

FDA Kids
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/

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