Unsuspected Nutritional Rickets

Abstract

Based on the presentation and clinical features of four cases of nutritional rickets, it is suggested that particular groups of children, namely vegetarians, children breast-fed for an unusually long time, and black children, are at risk to develop the nutritional deficiencies of vitamin D and calcium that lead to clinical rickets. The diagnoses in these cases were made by fortuitous radiologic examination, even though the children had been receiving regular pediatric supervision, indicating a lack of awareness of the condition. This report is intended to emphasize the reemergence of nutritional rickets and to illustrate the different modes of its clinical presentation.