Rickets and osteomalacia are bone mineralization disorders. Rickets in children occurs due to abnormalities in bone formation at the epiphyseal growth plate and results in defective bone modelling. The growth plate is involved in a process characterized by defective calcification of cartilage, delayed maturation and disorganization of the architecture of the cartilage cells. In osteomalacia there is a failure to mineralize the osteoid organic matrix of bone. This defect results in excessive accumulation of osteoid throughout the skeleton. There is usually some decrease in bone density. Therefore, rickets occurs during growth in children and osteomalacia presents in adults. The mineralization of bone depends on availability and appropriate regulation of inorganic phosphate and calcium, that is made by vitamin D. The two components form a major part of hydroxyapatite, the mineral part of bone. Depletion of phosphate or calcium with abnormally low concentrations in extracellular fluid, results in rickets and osteomalacia. Although the clinical manifestations vary to some extend depending upon the underlying disorder, they are mainly related to skeletal deformity, and disturbances in growth. A number of different hereditary or acquired disorders are associated with the mechanism of defective mineralization. Recent advances in molecular genetics are permitting the identification of genes involved in human diseases from their chromossomal location. The ensuing discussion includes major types of rickets and osteomalacia.
Rickets; Osteomalacia; Vitamin D; Hypophosphatemia
