Rickets and osteomalacia are disorders characterised by the inadequate mineralisation of bone.

These diseases are different manifestations of the same pathological process (depending on whether or not the growth plates are fused)

Rickets: Affects children - defective minerilisation of the epiphyseal growth plate

Osteomalacia: Affects adults - defective mineralisation of the osteoid

Rickets

Predisposing factors

• dietary deficiency of calcium, for example in developing countries
• prolonged breastfeeding
• unsupplemented cow's milk formula
• lack of sunlight

PC:

The clinical manifestations of rickets depend on the age of the child but can result in bony deformity -  the characteristic appearance of bowed legs and thickening of the ends of long bones. It typically affects the wrists, knees, and costochondral junctions.

Osteomalacia

Causes

Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of osteomalacia.

PC:

Many patients may be asymptomatic and identified incidentally on routine investigations following a fragility fracture or they may present with vague bone pain, proximal muscle weakness or fractures.