Overview of epidemiology and management of rickets among children in Saudi Arabia

Rickets is a common bone disease worldwide that is associated with disturbances in calcium and phosphate homeostasis and can lead to short stature and joint deformities. The study aimed to summarize the updated evidence as regards: Epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and management. Rickets can be diagnosed based on history and physical examination, radiological features, and biochemical tests. The acquired rickets (nutritional) is the most common cause of rickets among children in Saudi Arabia which is due to vitamin D deficiency. Risk factors include, exclusively breast fed, immigrant adults in industrialized countries, decreased exposure to sunlight, use of sunscreen, old age of the housebound, morbid obesity and certain medications. Treatment strategies of rickets depend on the underlying etiology. There are several regimens utilized to treat rickets, all of them comprise some form of vitamin D administration and presence of adequate calcium and phosphate levels.