Question
The little baby next door is three years old and incredibly cute. Recently, the baby doesn’t like to take naps and cries a lot. Every night, the baby wakes up crying several times. When relatives changed the baby’s clothes, they noticed that the baby’s ribs are a bit prominent. After a thorough check-up at the hospital, the doctor said the baby has rickets. What element is deficient in rickets?
Answer
Rickets is mainly caused by a deficiency of calcium. To treat rickets, it is essential to get plenty of sunlight and take fish liver oil or calcium supplements under a doctor’s guidance. It’s also recommended to increase the intake of calcium-rich foods such as seaweed, kelp, shrimp, and milk. Outdoor exercise should be encouraged to strengthen the child’s constitution. Physical therapy may also be considered at a local hospital to aid in the complete recovery of the condition.