Rickets in children of rural origin in South Africa: is low dietary calcium a factor?

J Pediatr. 1978 Feb;92(2):320-4. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(78)80035-3.

Abstract

Studies of nine children 4 7/12 to 13 years of age who had rickets are presented. No evidence of renal abnormalities, vitamin D deficiency, or of the inherited varieties of rickets was found. The salient features were their rural origins, mild hypocalcemia with evidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and improvement with a normal diet that contained an average of 944 mg calcium/24 hours. It is proposed that the etiology of the rickets is related to low calcium intake with or without a high oxalate concentration in the diet.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Calcium / deficiency
  • Calcium / urine
  • Calcium, Dietary* / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cyclic AMP / urine
  • Humans
  • Hypocalcemia / etiology
  • Leg / abnormalities
  • Phosphorus / blood
  • Radiography
  • Rickets / complications
  • Rickets / enzymology
  • Rickets / etiology*
  • Rickets / therapy
  • Rural Population*
  • South Africa
  • Wrist / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Phosphorus
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Calcium