Definition of Rickets

1. Noun. Childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight associated with impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

Exact synonyms: Rachitis
Generic synonyms: Avitaminosis, Hypovitaminosis
Derivative terms: Rachitic

Definition of Rickets

1. n. pl. A disease which affects children, and which is characterized by a bulky head, crooked spine and limbs, depressed ribs, enlarged and spongy articular epiphyses, tumid abdomen, and short stature, together with clear and often premature mental faculties. The essential cause of the disease appears to be the nondeposition of earthy salts in the osteoid tissues. Children afflicted with this malady stand and walk unsteadily. Called also rachitis.

Definition of Rickets

1. Noun. (pathology) A disorder of infancy and early childhood caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, causing soft bones. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Rickets

1. a disease resulting from vitamin D deficiency [n]

Medical Definition of Rickets

1. A condition caused by deficiency of vitamin D, especially in infancy and childhood, with disturbance of normal ossification. The disease is marked by bending and distortion of the bones under muscular action, by the formation of nodular enlargements on the ends and sides of the bones, by delayed closure of the fontanelles, pain in the muscles and sweating of the head. Vitamin D and sunlight together with an adequate diet are curative, provided that the parathyroid glands are functioning properly. Origin: Gr. Rhachitis = a spinal complaint This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Rickets

ricins
ricinus
ricinuses
rick
rick-roll
rick-rolled
rick-rolling
rick-rolls
rickardite
ricked
ricker
rickers
ricketier
ricketiest
ricketiness
rickets (current term)
rickettsia
rickettsia infections
rickettsia prowazekii
rickettsia rickettsii
rickettsia tsutsugamushi
rickettsia typhi
rickettsia vaccine
rickettsiaceae
rickettsiaceae infections
rickettsiae
rickettsial
rickettsial disease
rickettsial diseases
rickettsial vaccines

Literary usage of Rickets

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Principles and Practice of Medicine: Designed for the Use of by William Osler (1905)
"rickets exists in all parts of the world, but is particularly marked among the poor of the larger cities, who are badly housed and ill fed. ..."

2. The Principles and Practice of Medicine: Designed for the Use of by William Osler (1909)
"Jenner has described a late rickets, in which form the disease may not ... rickets has been regarded as a manifestation of congenital syphilis (Parrot). ..."

3. The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition: The Use of Food for the Preservation of by Elmer Verner McCollum (1922)
"The studies of Ferguson further emphasize the importance of the time of year in influencing the development of rickets. Of 349 children observed by her, ..."

4. The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition: The Use of Food for the Preservation of by Elmer Verner McCollum (1922)
"Exercise as a Factor in Preventing rickets in Pups.— Findlay (18) has continued as has also Paton (19), to emphasize that the opportunity which is afforded ..."

5. Repressive Legislation of the Republic of South Africa by Elizabeth S. Landis, United Nations Unit on Apartheid (1898)
"rickets exists in all parts of the world, but is particularly marked among the poor of the larger cities, who arc badly housed and ill fed. ..."

6. Repressive Legislation of the Republic of South Africa by Elizabeth S. Landis, United Nations Unit on Apartheid (1903)
"Jenner has described a late rickets, in which form the disease may not ... rickets has been regarded as a manifestation of congenital syphilis (Parrot). ..."

7. Orthopedic Surgery by Edward Hickling Bradford, Robert Williamson Lovett (1915)
"THE DEFORMITIES OF rickets. THESE deformities result from the inability of the bone to ... rickets is a constitutional disease which affects young children. ..."

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