Prognosis

Calcium-deficiency rickets: vitamin D deficiency

Most children with vitamin D-deficient rickets will respond well to vitamin D and calcium, although response rates are higher with intramuscular than with oral treatment.​[4]​

Calcium-deficiency rickets: calcium deficiency

Calcium supplementation leads to relief of bone pain within 1 month, with improved mobility. Wrist enlargement may resolve within 6 months, although knee deformity may not resolve spontaneously.[43]

Calcium-deficiency rickets: pseudovitamin D deficiency

A physiological dose of calcitriol generally promotes complete healing of the bone disease and resolution of the biochemical abnormalities.

Calcium-deficiency rickets: vitamin D resistance

Not all patients respond to oral treatment, but metabolic and bone abnormalities may improve with intravenous calcium.[44]

Hypophosphataemic rickets: X-linked, autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, McCune-Albright syndrome

Many patients have impaired growth and bone healing despite treatment. Outcomes are better when treatment is started in early infancy, but skeletal development remains abnormal and early growth deficits may be permanent.[45][46]

Hereditary hypophosphataemic rickets with hypercalciuria

Patients may respond to treatment. Spontaneous improvement in the renal phosphate-wasting defect has been reported in later life.[47]

Hypophosphataemic rickets: tumour-induced

Surgical removal of the tumour can cure rickets, but not all children have a complete response.[46]

Management of deformity

Untreated rickets can cause permanent bone deformity and lead to stunted growth. Surgical intervention may be necessary to repair severe bony abnormalities.​[4]​

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