Editing Rickets (section)

== Signs and symptoms ==
[[File:Rickets wrist.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Widening of wrist]] 
Signs and symptoms of dietary deficiency rickets can include [[bone]] tenderness, and a susceptibility for bone [[fracture]]s, particularly [[greenstick fracture]]s.<ref name="MedicalNews">{{cite web| url = http://www.news-medical.net/health/Rickets-Symptoms.aspx| title = Medical News – Symptoms of Rickets| date = March 2010}}</ref> Early skeletal deformities can arise in infants such as soft, thinned skull bones – a condition known as [[craniotabes]],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Harvey NC, Holroyd C, Ntani G, Javaid K, Cooper P, Moon R, Cole Z, Tinati T, Godfrey K, Dennison E, Bishop NJ, Baird J, Cooper C | display-authors = 6 | title = Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy: a systematic review | journal = Health Technology Assessment | volume = 18 | issue = 45 | pages = 1–190 | date = July 2014 | pmid = 25025896 | pmc = 4124722 | doi = 10.3310/hta18450 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Prentice A | title = Nutritional rickets around the world | journal = The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | volume = 136 | pages = 201–206 | date = July 2013 | pmid = 23220549 | doi = 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.11.018 | s2cid = 19944113 }}</ref> which is the first sign of rickets; [[skull bossing]] may be present and a delayed closure of the [[fontanelle]]s.

Young children may have [[Genu varum|bowed legs]] and thickened ankles and wrists;<ref>{{cite web| url = maeve http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rickets/DS00813/DSECTION=symptoms| work = Mayo Clinic | title = Signs and Symptoms of Rickets}}</ref> older children may have [[knock knees]].<ref name="MedicalNews"/> [[Vertebral column|Spinal curvatures]] of [[kyphoscoliosis]] or lumbar [[lordosis]] may be present. The [[pelvic bone]]s may be deformed. A condition known as [[rachitic rosary]] can result as the thickening caused by nodules forming on the [[costochondral joint]]s. This appears as a visible bump in the middle of each rib in a line on each side of the body. This somewhat resembles a rosary, giving rise to its name. The deformity of a pigeon chest<ref name="MedicalNews"/> may result in the presence of [[Harrison's groove]].

[[Hypocalcemia]], a low level of calcium in the blood can result in [[tetany]] – uncontrolled muscle spasms. Dental problems can also arise.<ref name="MedicalNews"/>

An [[X-ray]] or [[radiography|radiograph]] of an advanced patient with rickets tends to present in a classic way: the bowed legs (outward curve of long bone of the legs) and a deformed chest. Changes in the skull also occur causing a distinctive "square headed" appearance known as "caput quadratum".<ref>{{cite web|title=caput quadratum|url=http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/caput+quadratum|website=TheFreeDictionary.com}}</ref> These deformities persist into adult life if not treated. Long-term consequences include permanent curvatures or disfiguration of the long bones, and a [[Scoliosis|curved back]].<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = O'Riordan JL, Bijvoet OL | title = Rickets before the discovery of vitamin D | journal = BoneKEy Reports | volume = 3 | pages = 478 | date = January 2014 | pmid = 24466409 | pmc = 3899557 | doi = 10.1038/bonekey.2013.212 }}</ref>