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Rickets on Increase, Expert Warns
The childhood disease rickets is on the increase in Britain, a paediatric expert warns.
Judy More is urging pregnant mothers and children to take vitamin D supplements to combat the problem which causes bow-legs and soft bones.
The warning comes as paediatricians and GPs have noted the return of rickets, following the provisional results of a regional survey into the disease.
Vitamin D deficiency has been blamed on a lack of sunlight and it is particularly problematic for people with darker skin pigmentation as they need to absorb more light to get the benefit, Mrs More said.
Before addressing the British Dietetic Association's (BDA) annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, she said: "Rickets is a problem that is coming back to Britain."
A successful health campaign in the 1960's advised lactating mothers, pregnant women and children to take vitamin D supplements but that message seems to have been forgotten, Mrs More said.
She added: "Certain groups within this country need to have the supplements, they are available very cheaply from health food shops."
Other symptoms include delayed development of motor skills, she said, as children with rickets can find movement painful.
The London-based BDA's chairman of the paediatric group added: "We do get some vitamin D in our food but for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children it is not enough."
From Healthy.net