Rickets and Vitamin D

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rickets continues to be a significant health problem in the developmental population in both developed and low-economic areas. Deficiency rickets is a metabolic disease of the growing skeleton, occurring before the closure of the epiphyses of long bones, consisting in disturbed bone mineralization and is etiologically associated with vitamin D and calcium deficiencies. The risk factors for rickets includes a number of conditions leading to a deficiency of vitamin D like chronic kidney disease, liver disease, intestinal malabsorption, impaired fat absorption and metabolism, and conditions requiring long-term total parenteral nutrition. Taking into account the high health risk associated with rickets, its prevalence and demographics, as well as the real and potential burden of the disease, a consensus has been reached and Global Consensus Recommendations are described.