Evaluation of Patients Diagnosed with Nutritional Rickets: A Single Center Study

Abstract

Objective: Nutritional rickets continues to be an important health care problem. Its incidence has decreased in our country following the free vitamin D distribution that started in 2005 but it continues to stay on the agenda as a preventable disorder. Our aim was to evaluate patients diagnosed with nutritional rickets following the vitamin D supplementation program. Material and Methods: A total of 93 cases diagnosed with nutritional rickets were included in the study. The data were retrospectively collected from patient records and laboratory analyses. results: The 93 nutritional rickets patients we evaluated consisted of 39 (41%) girls and 54 (59%) boys. The mean age was 19.1±35.1 months. The physical examination usually revealed widening of the wrists and rachitic beads. The most common sign at presentation was hypocalcemic seizure (28%, n= 26). Hypocalcemia was present in 46% (n= 43) and single large doses of vitamin D (stoss) therapy had been administered to 53% (n= 49). A concurrent disorder was present in 46%. The patients had presented mostly in February and May and only 20% had been receiving vitamin D supplementation. conclusion: The 400 IU vitamin D supplementation dose needs to be revised and the program made more widely available.