[Rickets in a child]

Abstract

Vitamin D is necessary for normal bone growth. Deficiency of vitamin D can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. It is difficult to reach the recommended daily dose of vitamin D in children without cod liver oil or other vitamin D supplementation. Several cases of rickets have been diagnosed in Iceland the past few years. Studies suggest a worldwide increase in the prevalence of the disorder. We report on a girl who was diagnosed with rickets at the age of 27 months. She received inadequate amounts of vitamin D supplementation in the form of AD drops and cod liver oil. Because of food allergy she was on a restricted diet which limited her intake of dietary vitamin D. After diagnosis, she received a high-dose vitamin D therapy (Stoss therapy) which corrected the deficiency. Key words: rickets, food allergy, vitamin D.