Rickets Vitamin D deficiency in kids

• Facts:
  Defective mineralization of both bone and growth plate cartilage
  
  Vitamin D deficiency leads to decreased intestinal calcium absorption and hypocalcemia
• History / PE:
  Craniotabes (ping pong ball sensation over occiput)
  Rachitic rosary (enlargement of costochondral junctions)
  Thickening of wrists and ankles
  Harrison groove (horizontal depression over lower chest)
  Large anterior fontanelle
• Diagnosis:
  Decreased serum calcifediol levels
  Increased alkaline phosphatase
  Characteristic radiologic changes
• Treatment:
  Oral vitamin D
  Sunlight exposure
  
• See Also:
  Osteomalacia (defective mineralization of bone ONLY)
• Associated With:
  Low birth weight infants
  Unsupplemented dark skinned patients
  RTA type II
  
• Differential Diagnosis:
  X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (decreased serum phosphate)