Question
Parents inquire, if they suspect their 4-year-old child has rickets, how should they proceed with the examination to determine the diagnosis? Are there any methods to alleviate symptoms?
Answer
Rickets is characterized by incomplete calcification of cartilage plates and bone tissue at the ends of long bones, with a high risk group being children under 2 years old, particularly infants aged 3 to 18 months. Adequate intake of vitamin D can prevent this disease. It is usually discovered during routine health checks and may also manifest as low blood calcium convulsions, growth retardation, irritability, or frequent respiratory infections in infancy. The diagnosis of rickets can be made through three tests: 1. Wrist X-ray examination, which is an important basis for diagnosis and staging, but early changes are not easily identifiable; 2. Blood biochemistry test, which detects recent vitamin D nutritional status; 3. BAKP level test, which provides early diagnosis and can be performed simultaneously with routine blood tests.