Text Box: NUTRITIONAL RICKETS, AN OLD DISEASE, RETURNS IN SUNNY PLACES
Elidrissy.A.T.H.
King Abdulaziz Hospital & Oncology Center, Jeddah, KSA

Since Rickets was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 1980 many facts emerged and causative factors were elucidated.  Nationwide study about levels of Vitamin D in Saudi community showed low levels, Jeddah being the best.  Housing and maternity were considered important factors.  Inspite, application of regulations to control Vitamin D deficiency we are seeing more cases of rickets even in places with higher levels of Vitamin D in the population like Western Region.  Rickets is not fully benign condition mortality and morbidity related to infections and convulsions have been reported also dilated cardiomyopathy in association with hypocalcemia is increasingly being reported.  In this communication I would like to highlight further the epidemiology and factors associated with rickets in such a sunny country.  Measures of controlling a big problem of which only the tip of an iceberg we are seeing are advocated.  Preventing rickets by improving the environmental factors is important.   Antinatal Vitamin D & Calcium containing diets and regular supplementation is vital.  Moreover breast fed infants should have Vitamin D supplementation in relation to vaccination programmes, if the problem is not catered for antinatally.
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