Osteomalacia - Symptoms of rickets

Rickets causes a child's bones to become soft and weak, which can lead to bone deformities.

The signs and symptoms of rickets can include:

• Fragile bones – the bones become weaker and more prone to fractures.
• Poor growth and development – if the skeleton does not grow and develop properly, the child will be shorter than average.
• Dental problems – including weak tooth enamel, delay in teeth coming through and increased risk of cavities.
• Skeletal deformities – including soft skull bones, bowed legs, curvature of the spine and thickening of the ankles, wrists and knees. The breastbone can also stick out ('pigeon chest').
• Pain – the bones affected by rickets can be sore and painful, so the child may be reluctant to walk or may tire easily. 

As your child gets older, the symptoms of rickets may also include waddling when walking, bent bones and muscle weakness or pain.

These symptoms can also affect adults who have soft bones (osteomalacia).

Some children with rickets may also have low levels of calcium in their blood (hypocalcaemia). This can make the symptoms of rickets worse and can also cause muscle cramps, twitching, tingling in the hands and feet, and fits.

When to seek medical advice

If your child has any symptoms of rickets, such as bone pain, delayed growth, muscle weakness or skeletal problems, take them to your GP for a check-up.