rickets

[rik-its]

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease of childhood, characterized by softening of the bones as a result of inadequate intake of vitamin D and insufficient exposure to sunlight, also associated with impaired calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

rickets

/ ˈrɪkɪts /

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) pathol a disease mainly of children, characterized by softening of developing bone, and hence bow legs, malnutrition, and enlargement of the liver and spleen, caused by a deficiency of vitamin D

rickets

1. A bone disease seen mostly in children, caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, usually as a result of inadequate dietary intake or lack of exposure to sunlight. This deficiency causes decreased calcium absorption from the intestine and abnormalities in formation and mineralization of skeletal bone, resulting in defective bone growth and deformity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rickets¹

First recorded in 1635–45; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of rickets¹

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Abiyah died in early 2020 from a respiratory illness, worsened by a "restricted" vegan diet that caused severe malnourishment, rickets, anaemia and stunted growth.

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Kennedy loves to talk about "chronic disease," but doesn't mention how once-common disabling conditions like gout, rickets, polio injury, or consumption have disappeared.

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These included bone fractures, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth and severe dental decay.

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Tests on the body showed Abiyah was suffering from a catalogue of conditions including rickets, anaemia, stunted growth, bone malformation and deformity, bone fractures and severe dental decay.

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Abiyah had suffered from bone fractures, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth and severe dental decay.

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