Children with nutritional rickets referred to hospitals in Copenhagen during a 10-year period

  1. P Pedersen1,
  2. KF Michaelsen2,3,
  3. C Mølgaard2,3,*

Article first published online: 2 JAN 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2003.tb00475.x

Issue

Acta Paediatrica

Acta Paediatrica

Volume 92, Issue 1, pages 87–90, January 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pedersen, P., Michaelsen, K. and Mølgaard, C. (2003), Children with nutritional rickets referred to hospitals in Copenhagen during a 10-year period. Acta Paediatrica, 92: 87–90. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2003.tb00475.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Paediatrics, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen

  2. 2

    Research Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg

  3. 3

    Paediatric Nutrition Unit, The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

*C Mølgaard, Research Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark (Tel. +45 3528 2493, fax. +45 3528 2483, e-mail. cm@kvl.dk)

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 JAN 2007
  2. Article first published online: 2 JAN 2007
  3. Received Jan. 15, 2002; revision received July 15, 2002; accepted Aug. 7, 2002

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (81K)

Keywords:

  • Children;
  • infants;
  • rickets;
  • vitamin D

Aim: To describe the prevalence of nutritional rickets among children admitted to three large paediatric departments in the Copenhagen area during a 10 y period. Methods: Retrospective analysis of cases identified from the diagnosis registers fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for nutritional rickets. Results: Forty cases were identified, distributed in two distinct age groups: 0.5–4 y (n= 31) and 9–15 y (n= 9). All cases were immigrants, of whom 95% were born in Denmark. The main symptoms in the younger age group were bowed legs and clumsy walk, and in the peri-pubertal group were painful joints. Two children had generalized convulsions. None of the cases had received vitamin D supplementation.

Conclusion: Nutritional rickets is still present among immigrants in Denmark, and it is likely that the prevalence of mild cases is high. Prevention through vitamin D supplementation is important, but requires a dedicated health education effort.

Get PDF (81K)