Vitamin Deficiency Disorders
Rickets and scurvy are skeletal disorders caused by deficiencies in essential vitamins—D and C respectively—leading to impaired bone growth, mineralisation, and connective tissue function.
Rickets is primarily due to vitamin D deficiency, leading to impaired mineralisation of the growth plate in children. Clinical signs include bowing of the legs, delayed closure of fontanelles, rachitic rosary, and wrist widening. Radiographs show cupping, fraying, and widening of the metaphyses. Causes include inadequate sunlight exposure, poor dietary intake, or malabsorption.
Scurvy is a result of prolonged vitamin C deficiency, impairing collagen synthesis. It manifests with musculoskeletal pain, bleeding gums, petechiae, pseudoparalysis in children, and poor wound healing. Radiological signs include the White line of Frankel, Pelkan spurs, and the Trümmerfeld zone. Treatment involves prompt vitamin C supplementation.
Both conditions are preventable and reversible with adequate nutritional intervention.