Osteomalacia
(Rickets · Soft Bones)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Osteomalacia
A doctor who suspects osteomalacia will want to know about the person's medical history and lifestyle. This information is required to determine the amount of vitamin D the person receives from their diet and from the sun. The following tests may help make the diagnosis:
- blood tests to measure levels of calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D
- kidney function and urine tests
- X-rays–images of the leg bones to look for abnormalities such as pseudofractures (lines that look like fractures on the X-ray but aren't actual fractures); X-rays of other bones such as the pelvis may also show changes in shape
- CT (computed tomography) scans of the spine to show changes in the vertebrae
- a bone biopsy–a needle is inserted into the bone to allow the doctor to remove a small piece of bone tissue for analysis
Once osteomalacia or rickets has been diagnosed, the doctor must find out why the condition has developed. Although osteomalacia may be caused by a lack of vitamin D in the diet, the cause may be more complex–relating not to dietary deficiency of the vitamin but rather a failure to absorb or activate the vitamin. In such cases, further investigations to search for kidney or intestinal problems are needed.
Treating and Preventing Osteomalacia
If a lack of vitamin D is causing osteomalacia, the patient will be advised to increase their vitamin D intake. Some foods rich in vitamin D are:
- enriched or fortified milk and milk products
- herring, salmon, shrimp, sardines
- fortified cereal
- cod liver oil
- egg yolks
The doctor may prescribe a concentrated supply of vitamin D as well as a calcium supplement. The doctor or dietitian may also suggest alternative sources of vitamin D for people who are lactose intolerant or are allergic to milk.
People who are feeding their babies only breast milk or partially feeding their babies infant formula are recommended to give their babies daily vitamin D supplements. Most infant formulas in Canada are fortified with enough vitamin D to fulfill the baby’s needs if fed regularly.
People with osteomalacia may be advised to get exposure to the sun but should be careful to avoid getting sunburned. It is better to stay in the sun for short periods (10 to 15 minutes) each day rather than for longer periods less frequently. This strategy, in addition to the use of sunscreen, decreases the chance of skin damage from the sun.
Some people may require braces to help realign the affected bones. Surgery may be necessary to realign severely deformed bones.
With successful treatment, osteomalacia can be eliminated and its effects completely healed within a modest period of time (usually several months).
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Osteomalacia
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