Question
What impact does rickets have on intelligence?
Answer
Vitamin D deficiency rickets, commonly referred to as rickets, is a disorder caused by a lack of vitamin D leading to an imbalance in calcium-phosphorus metabolism within the body, resulting in inadequate bone mineralization. The characteristic is that the growth plates of growing bones cannot be normally calcified, leading to bone deformities. Insufficient vitamin D leads to incomplete mineralization of mature bones, manifesting as osteomalacia. The onset of rickets is gradual and often goes unnoticed. Guidance: Rickets is more common in infancy because young infants grow rapidly, have less outdoor activity, and are more prone to vitamin D deficiency. Causes include insufficient sunlight exposure, improper feeding of infants, inadequate intake of vitamin D and calcium and phosphorus, rapid growth, factors such as impaired absorption of vitamin D and calcium and phosphorus, and the effects of medication.