Rickets

Rickets is a disease in young children. It is caused by deficiency of vitamin D and calcium. Rickets causes larger gaps inside bones and turns them dry and spongy. It also makes a curve on the legs.

The word "rickets" comes from the Greek word rhakhis, which means "spine". People can get rickets if they:

• have a dark skin colour
• spend too little time outside
• always wear sunscreen when going out
• do not eat food containing vitamin D because of lactose intolerance or a strict vegetarian diet
• cannot make or use vitamin D because of a medical disorder such as coeliac disease