rickets

noun

rick·​ets ˈri-kəts 

plural in form but singular in construction

: a deficiency disease that affects the young during the period of skeletal growth, is characterized especially by soft and deformed bones, and is caused by failure to assimilate and use calcium and phosphorus normally due to inadequate sunlight or vitamin D

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the National Institutes of Health, only about 5% of Americans have what is called a vitamin D deficiency — a serious medical condition that can lead to bone diseases such as rickets. —Marisa Cohen, Good Housekeeping, 30 Dec. 2022

The boy’s rib bones were studded with knobs, and the ends of his long bones were slightly enlarged, both signs of rickets. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2022

This can lead to health issues such as rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2022

Whatever the reason, the resulting rickets may have contributed to the child’s death. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2022

At the time of the first White House nutrition conference, in 1969, research focused particularly on isolated vitamins and minerals and their role in nutrient deficiency diseases like rickets and pellagra. —Stephanie Rogus, STAT, 21 Sep. 2022

The main outcome of D3 deficiency in children is skeletal deformities called rickets. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 15 Sep. 2022

In fact, children with low levels of vitamin D are at higher risk of developing a condition called rickets, which leads to bone weakness and other skeletal deformities. —Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022

Peggy’s father, physician Alfred Hess, researched the nutritional value of fresh food and is credited in a Nobel Prize for his contributions to work to prevent scurvy and rickets. —oregonlive, 19 May 2022

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Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rickets

noun

rick·​ets ˈrik-əts 

: a disease of young people and animals in which the bones are soft and deformed due to an inability of the body to use calcium and phosphorus because of a lack of vitamin D

Medical Definition

rickets

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

rick·​ets ˈrik-əts 

: a deficiency disease that affects the young during the period of skeletal growth, is characterized especially by soft and deformed bones, and is caused by failure to assimilate and use calcium and phosphorus normally due to inadequate sunlight or vitamin D

called also rachitis

see osteomalacia