Assessment of children with rickets at Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat

• Main Authors: Ali Jan, Israr ul Haq, Ihsan ul Haq, Salman Mustaan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, Pakistan 2012-01-01
• Series: Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences
• Online Access: http://gjms.com.pk/ojs24/index.php/gjms/article/view/469
• ISSN: 1819-7973; 1997-2067

Background: Rickets is recognized for centuries and is due to defective mineralization of the growth plate in growing children. Nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets remains the most prevalent cause worldwide. This study was carried out with the objectives to assess the prevalence, clinical presentation and predisposing factors of rickets in children of Swat District. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Department of Child health, Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat from December 2009 to December 2010. Children presenting with signs and symptoms of rickets from newborns to fifteen years of age were included in the study. Patients with hepatic and renal diseases or on anticonvulsant medicines were excluded from the study. Provisional diagnosis was made after taking detailed history including predisposing factors and a through examination and the findings were entered to pre planed proforma. Results: Fifty children with rickets were included. These patients presented as recurrent lower respiratory infections in 30(60%), delay in motor mile stone in 12(24%), convulsions in 10(20%) and recurrent diarrhea in 8(16%) children. On clinical examination skeletal changes were present in 45(90%) and radiological signs 40(80%) children. In all cases healing took place after vitamin D supplementation. The main predisposing factors were lack of awareness about sun exposure, malnourishment and antenatal factors. Conclusion: Rickets is common in district swat presenting with different signs and symptoms predisposing the childhood population to different illnesses and skeletal deformities.