Symptoms of Rickets



The signs and symptoms of rickets may include:

  • Bowlegs
  • Waddling when walking (seen in toddlers)
  • Delay in walking in children
  • Curved spine (including scoliosis and kyphosis)
  • Delay in growth
  • Short stature (most adults with rickets are less than five feet tall)
  • Projection of the breastbone (pigeon chest)
  • Odd shaped skull
  • Bumps in the ribcage
  • Deformities of the pelvic bone
  • Pain in the bones of the legs, pelvis, and spine
  • Bone tenderness
  • Weak muscles
  • Low muscle tone
  • Cramps in the muscles
  • Twitching muscles & tingling in hands and feet (reduced levels of calcium in the blood)
  • Thick wrists and ankles
  • Dental deformities and delay in teeth development
  • Increased cavities in and weak teeth
  • Increased vulnerability to bone fractures
  • Weight loss and a loss of appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
In cases of severe deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate, people may develop symptoms such as seizures of involuntary muscle contractions. If these occur, they should be treated as an emergency and demand immediate medical treatment.