Can rickets in children be cured?

Rickets is a common disease among infants and young children. It is quite harmful to young children. The most important cause of rickets is the lack of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to calcium absorption disorders, which can cause calcium deficiency in children. It often causes short stature, hunched backs, etc. At this time, timely treatment is necessary.

Can rickets in children be cured?

1. General treatment

Including strengthening the feeding, care and physical exercise of the children. If the diet is calcium deficient, calcium lactate or calcium glucose can be given, but not more than 1 gram per day. If both calcium and phosphorus are deficient, calcium phosphate can be taken together with vitamin D, and more vegetables, fruits, egg yolks and other foods can be given. Increase outdoor activities and get sunlight exposure.

2. Vitamin D treatment

It includes two types: general treatment and intensive treatment. (1) Conventional treatment: Oral vitamin D concentrate (including concentrated cod liver oil) at 5,000 to 20,000 international units per day. After one month, switch to a preventive dose. The dosage of oral cod liver oil can be reduced in summer, but it should not be stopped completely. The above dosage and course of treatment may be appropriately increased or decreased depending on the region and condition. (2) Intensive therapy: For children with advanced or severe diseases or those with long-term diarrhea, jaundice, or other chronic diseases, concentrated vitamin D preparations can be used for large-dose intensive therapy, either orally or by injection, if necessary. When taken orally, the total dose may be given in divided doses over two weeks. Intramuscular injections are usually given in doses of 300,000 to 600,000 units at a time, and generally one injection is sufficient. Whether taken orally or by injection, do not exceed 600,000 units each time. Shock therapy is only for emergency use and should not be abused continuously. Calcium should be given before each treatment. Generally, 10% calcium chloride solution is taken orally, 10 ml each time, 3 times a day, for 3 days. For children who are severely malnourished or particularly weak, shock therapy should not be used.

Experts remind: When using large amounts of vitamin D, you must be careful to prevent poisoning and should use it under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Calcium therapy

Since the effects of vitamin D and calcium complement each other, you can take an appropriate amount of calcium supplements or bone powder while supplementing vitamin D. Such as 1-3 grams of calcium gluconate per day, orally; or 500-600 mg of elemental calcium per day. Calcium supplements should be taken long-term, generally for several months or years. The Chinese medicine Longmu Zhuanggu Granule can also be used in combination.

4. Artificial ultraviolet therapy

Sunlight exposure is the most economical and safe source of vitamin D and is a commonly used method for treating rickets in children. Artificial ultraviolet light (such as mercury quartz lamp) can be used for treatment if necessary. Exposure should be done 3 times a week, 5 to 20 minutes each time. Each course of treatment lasts 4 to 6 weeks. If any adverse skin reaction occurs, the treatment may be suspended.

5. Orthopedic therapy

For children with milder conditions, bone deformities can usually recover on their own after the above treatment and no orthopedic treatment is required. However, more severe deformities caused by late-stage rickets may not be able to be completely restored, and surgical correction should be considered after the age of 4 when rickets stops progressing. To prevent chest deformity, the child can be placed in a prone position with his head raised 2 to 3 times a day.