Question
What are the symptoms of rickets due to vitamin D deficiency?
Answer
Infants aged 3-6 months are prone to have softening of the skull, and pressing on the occiput gently will give a sensation like pressing on a ping-pong ball. By 6 months, swelling in the wrists and ankles may occur, resembling bracelets. At 8-9 months, the skull may be easily concave or saddle-shaped. The closure of the anterior and posterior fontanelles usually occurs within 12-18 months after birth, but rickets can delay this process. Additionally, tooth eruption may be delayed and irregularly aligned.