Learn crucial details about the most popular approaches to treating paediatric osteomalacia in this article.
You should keep reading this article to find out the most crucial treatments for osteomalacia in kids. Osteomalacia is also known as rickets.
Treatment of osteomalacia in children
Treatment options for paediatric osteomalacia include:
1. Treating nutrient deficiencies
Since low calcium and vitamin D levels are the primary cause of osteomalacia in children, boosting these nutrients' levels in addition to elevating phosphate levels typically entails doing one or more of the following, depending on the specific case:
- using dietary supplements
These supplements include:
- calcium.
- Vitamin D in the form of daily tablets or, if the youngster is unable to take pills, a yearly injection.
- For people with genetic osteomalacia, phosphate and calcitriol, or synthetic vitamin D, is recommended.
- fish oil.
- Diet modification
by upping the intake of foods high in vitamin D, particularly the following:
- eggs.
- Fatty fish, including salmon and tuna.
- beef liver.
- Foods fortified with vitamin D, including milk and juices to which this vitamin is added.
- A greater amount of sun exposure
This is because sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D.
2. Care for illnesses and conditions that lead to osteomalacia
Softening of the bones in a child sometimes results from the presence of another disease, as soft bones are among the complications of that disease. Osteomalacia typically recovers as a result of illness treatment.
3. Care for abnormalities brought on by osteomalacia
In order to correct any bone deformities caused by osteomalacia in youngsters and ensure proper bone development, treatment options include the use of orthopaedic medical equipment.
If this is unsuccessful in treating the abnormalities, the doctor may turn to surgical intervention.
Expected results from treatment of osteomalacia in children
Osteomalacia in children may be treated by increasing calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate levels; signs and symptoms typically start to get better within a week.
It is important to remember that bone malformations often improve if they are treated in children when they are still young, but if they are not treated while the kid is still developing, they may persist.
Prevention of osteomalacia in children
The following are the most crucial ways to protect kids from osteomalacia:
1. Adequate exposure to sunlight
One of the most significant factors in raising vitamin D levels in youngsters is exposure to sunlight, and in most seasons of the year, 10-15 minutes of midday sun exposure is sufficient.
However, dark-skinned children and those who live in areas where the sun does not always shine cannot get enough of this vitamin from sunlight only. In order to prevent skin cancer, it is also advisable to limit direct sunlight exposure unless using sunscreen.
2. Consuming vitamin D-rich foods.
The youngster should consume adequate amounts of foods and beverages that are high in or fortified with this vitamin.
3. Take supplemental vitamin D.
If newborns do not receive the 400 international units of vitamin D per day that is advised for their age group, they may occasionally need to take supplements (IU).
The pregnant woman should also inquire with her doctor about whether she needs to take vitamin D supplements.