Needless rickets: alertness

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to highlight the resurgence of deficient rickets and the importance of early treatment to prevent disabling sequelae. CASE REPORT: Child aged 11 months, 9 months corrected, born by caesarean section due to specific hypertensive disease of pregnancy and fetal centralization, premature 30 weeks, weight 1,065 grams. He received exclusive breast milk up to six months of age, with good weight gain. Evolves with primary malnutrition after introducing complementary diet with low dietary acceptance, during a pediatric consultation it was found developmental delay secondary to the state of malnutrition characterizing deficient rickets, facing the growth curves using the World Health Organization (WHO) graphs, with weight and length below Z-score - 3 for age. Radiological evidence showed generalized bone demineralization, with widening of the extremities and distal femoral metaphysis and cup-shaped proximal tibia. He was admitted to a hospital in the Federal District for seven days where he received diet by nasogastric tube and oral, at the end of hospitalization evolved with appetite return and good weight gain, maintains outpatient follow-up on continuous use of vitamin D and A, and ferrous sulfate. What stands out here is the importance of early diagnosis, as well as instituting mechanisms and behaviors that contribute to treatment adherence.