Osteomalacia and Ricketts

Question 1

What is Osteomalacia?

Answer 1

Qualitative defect of bone due to deficient mineralisation of osteoid due to low calcium and phosphate

Question 2

What is rickets?

Answer 2

Osteomalacia in children

Question 3

What are the causes?

Answer 3

Lack of calcium or vitamin D, no sunlight, hypophosphatemia, long term anti-convulsants and chronic kidney disease

Question 4

What are the symptoms?

Answer 4

bone pain, deformities from soft bones, hypocalcaemia and pseudofractures

Question 5

What are the symptoms of hypocalcaemia?

Answer 5

paraesthesiae, muscle cramps, irritability, fatigue, seizures, brittle nails

Question 6

Where do you often see pseudo fractures?

Answer 6

pubic rami, proximal femora, ulna and ribs

Question 7

What markers would you see biochemically?

Answer 7

low calcium, low serum phosphate and raised serum alkaline phosphate

Question 8

How would you treat?

Answer 8

vitamin D and calcium supplements