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

/ rĭk′ĭts /

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

The prosecution claims he was found to have been "severely malnourished", with broken bones, rickets, anaemia, dental disease and stunted growth.

From BBC

When he was exhumed, he was found to have been "severely malnourished", with broken bones, rickets, anaemia, dental disease, and stunted growth.

From BBC

The fifth of six children, he contracted rickets and tropical sprue, an intestinal disorder, at 4, both caused by vitamin deficiencies from his limited diet, and suffered from brittle bones throughout his life.

From Los Angeles Times

Hunger-related diseases such as rickets, scurvy, and tuberculosis were widespread, and in the cities, death from starvation was becoming a daily occurrence.

From Literature

He was a bow-legged child who had rickets, but was able to escape poverty in San Francisco because he was an extremely good runner.

From BBC