Clinical features and etiologies of nutritional rickets in children aged 0 to 5 years in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Nutritional rickets in children aged 0 to 5 years result from vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate deficiencies, leading to bone deformities, delayed growth, and muscle weakness. Insufficient dietary intake, limited sun exposure, and underlying health conditions often contribute to the development of rickets. Aim of the study: This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and identify the etiologies of nutritional rickets in young children. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics Sher- E-Bangla Medical College, Barisal, Bangladesh, from January 2022 to January 2024. Purposively, 67 children aged 0 to 5 years with nutritional rickets were enrolled as the study subjects. Nutritional rickets diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological, and biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed by using MS Office tools. Results: Nearly half (49.3%) of our participants were from the