How to Give Rickets the Shine

With so many medical authorities advising against unprotected sun-soaking, it may be surprising to hear just the opposite from your child's pediatrician. When it comes to rickets, a disease that affects bone development, the natural absorption of Vitamin D from the rays of that beaming heavenly body can do wonders.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunlight in Moderation
• Doctor's Recommendation
• Vitamin D Deficiency

1. See the Doctor.
   Take your child to regular visits with his or her pediatrician for immunizations and physicals. Those visits, though numerous for the first two years are important for the sake of your little one. Measurements for your baby's height/length and weight are taken and recorded.

2. Pay Attention.
   If the pediatrician has concerns about your child's growth rate, don't be alarmed. Simply listen and follow instructions.

3. Testing.
   Blood tests may be suggested, so have blood work drawn in a phlebotomy lab at a hospital or facility like Quest Diagnostic. Many locations take walk-ins as well as appointments.

4. Have Patience.
   Wait for the results.

5. Don't Delay.
   If your child has a Vitamin D deficiency and has been diagnosed with rickets, act right away because affects can be corrected.
   Follow the doctor's recommendations. It may be suggested that you take your little one to a Pediatric Endocrinologist who specializes in growth and development in children.
   Once there, your child's measurements will be taken again, along with blood pressure.
   After which, there will be a full examination from head to toe and every little area in between.
   There may be more blood testing needed and further suggestions for treatment.

6. Know the Treatment.
   Vitamins are typically considered a supplement; however, when it comes to a potent treatment in a liquid form, it should be viewed as medication.
   Drisdol, ergocalciferol oral solution is commonly prescribed for infants, children, and adults. It comes as 8000 units per milliliter (ml). Other common infant vitamin drops come in doses of 400 units per ml.
   An infant with a mild case of rickets may only require a dosage of 1000 units or .125 ml daily as advised by a physician.
   Note: Give only the amount advised by your child's doctor as too much can be harmful.

7. Try Not to Pay $ Out of Pocket $.
   You can get the oral solution through a prescription written by a physician. It should be covered under medical prescription plans; however, you may need assistance with an approval from your doctor.
   Note: If there is a refusal of coverage, the doctor's office should be notified so that further explanation can be made by the doctor as to the nature of the medication.
   Paying for such a product out of pocket can be as high as $180.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D. So let a little sunshine in!
• This article was NOT written by a physician and serves only as an informative piece so that other parents are given insight of another parent's perspective. This is neither to be used as a method to self diagnose, self treat, nor to diagnose or treat anyone else. If you suspect, you, your child, or someone else you know may have rickets, advise them to seek a medical professional to be tested. It is not recommended for infants under the age of six months to be exposed to direct sunlight. Ask your doctor.

Resources

• National Library of Medicine
• National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 12/6/2008 Good condition to put into the ehow listing. Good job!

[Kilogramm]

on 8/9/2008 I had never heard of this before, thanks for the info and insite!