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Rickets can be caused by a deficiency
of vitamin D in the diet or a lack
of exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet light triggers
a reaction in the skin that helps the body synthesize its
own vitamin D, which is used to help the body absorb calcium,
the key bone-building nutrient. People with darker skin need
more sunlight than their paler counterparts.
The bone disorder rickets can strike adolescents
who live in sunny climates. Investigators report on 1 male
and 20 female adolescents living in Saudi Arabia developed
rickets. The findings suggest that even
in sunny environments, adolescents, who are undergoing rapid
growth, may be vulnerable to the disease.
Although the occurrence of rickets in
a warm and sunny country seems surprising, increased skin
pigmentation and limited exposure to sunlight may be important.
Exposing the
face to sunlight for just one hour a
day may be enough to prevent rickets.
The investigators suggest that in Saudi
Arabia, the fact that females typically wear veils and garments
that completely cover the body contributes to the problem.
Also, temperatures that are sweltering throughout most of
the year keep people indoors much of the time. Many drank
at least one can of soda a day. Carbonated drinks contain
phosphorus, a mineral that can cause the bones to lose calcium.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
June 2001;84:501-503
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