Autism and Rickets: A Hidden Health Concern in Special Children

Autism and Rickets: Many autistic children eat only certain things (like white food, chips, bread, etc). This causes a deficiency of essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and iron. If this deficiency becomes long-term, rickets can develop.

Rickets = Weak bones in children caused by lack of Vitamin D and calcium.

Common Signs of Rickets

🧾 My Experience

As a mother of a 5.7-year-old autistic child, I’ve learned that physical health concerns can sometimes silently creep in. Recently, I noticed slight bending in my son’s legs and reduced physical energy. Concerned, I consulted our pediatrician, who suggested some important tests — HMF, Vitamin D3, Calcium, and ALP. The results showed that his Vitamin D3 level was very low, yet his ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) was at 1191, which is very high. This was a wake-up call for us.

The doctor diagnosed it as an early sign of rickets, a condition I never expected. This personal journey made me aware of how closely autism and nutritional deficiencies can be related, and how essential it is to monitor health parameters regularly in special children.

---

❓ What Is Rickets and What Causes It?

Rickets is a bone disease that leads to soft, weak, and deformed bones, especially in children. It is most commonly caused by:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Calcium deficiency
• Phosphorus deficiency
• Genetic disorders affecting mineral absorption
• Kidney or liver problems
• Premature birth (low nutrient stores)
• Malabsorption disorders (like celiac or Crohn’s disease)

Lack of sunlight exposure, unbalanced diet, and certain medical conditions can severely impact a child’s bone health, leading to rickets.

---

🧪 Key Tests to Diagnose Rickets

If a child shows symptoms like bowed legs, delayed walking, or bone pain, doctors may recommend:

• Vitamin D3 (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D) Test
• Serum Calcium and Phosphorus
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
• X-ray of bones to check bone deformities
• Magnesium levels (if needed)

These tests help detect nutritional deficiencies or underlying conditions affecting bone health.

---

🤝 How Are Autism and Rickets Related?

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are often at a higher risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Several factors contribute to this connection:

• Restricted diets due to sensory issues
• Avoidance of dairy or calcium-rich foods
• Less outdoor activity, leading to reduced sunlight exposure
• Gut-related disorders that may hinder nutrient absorption

Thus, children with autism are more likely to develop nutritional rickets if not carefully monitored.

To learn more about supporting autistic children’s health, you can visit my website:
👉 www.speakwithautism.com

---

🧠 Why Rickets Occurs in Autistic Children

Autistic children often:

• Prefer repetitive or selective foods, excluding key sources of vitamin D and calcium.
• May have sensory aversions to certain food textures (like milk, eggs, or fish).
• Spend less time outdoors, limiting vitamin D production from sunlight.
• Experience gut inflammation or absorption issues.

These combined issues make rickets more likely to occur in autistic children, even if parents feel their diet is “okay.”

---

How long can rickets be cured?

If rickets is identified on time, it can be easily treated effectively from 6 months to 6–7 years of age.

✅ Ideal Age for Treatment

• The period of 0 to 6 years is most critical because at this age the bones develop rapidly.
• If treatment is started by the age of 10–12 years and the deformity is mild, then there can be improvement.
• After puberty (after 13–14 years) the bones mature and the deformity caused by rickets can be permanent, unless surgery is required.

🛑 What can happen if rickets is not treated?

• Bones can become permanently deformed (example-bowed legs, spine problems)
• Height growth hindered
• Frequent fractures (bones become weak)
• Muscle weakness or chronic pain
• Long-term dental issues

🥦 Nutritional Deficiencies Behind Rickets

The major deficiencies that lead to rickets include:

• Vitamin D – Essential for calcium absorption and bone growth.
• Calcium – Builds and strengthens bones.
• Phosphorus – Works with calcium to form strong bones.
• Magnesium – Supports vitamin D and calcium metabolism.

In children with autism, these deficiencies often arise because of limited food variety, food allergies, or poor gut health.

---

✅ How to Solve Rickets in Autism

Managing and treating rickets in autistic children requires a holistic and medical approach:

1. Consult a pediatrician and a nutritionist for personalized advice.
2. Begin Vitamin D3 supplementation (only under medical supervision).
3. Add calcium-rich foods: paneer, curd, tofu, ragi, sesame seeds, fortified cereals.
4. Ensure safe sunlight exposure for 15–30 minutes a day.
5. Use kid-friendly multivitamins or bone health formulas, if recommended.
6. Schedule regular blood tests to monitor vitamin D, calcium, and ALP levels.
7. Track developmental signs and adjust dietary plans based on the child’s progress.

For more tips on autism care, speech activities, and nutrition, explore helpful articles on my blog:
🔗 www.speakwithautism.com

---

📌 Final Thought

Rickets is preventable and treatable, especially when diagnosed early. For parents of autistic children, staying alert to subtle health signs and maintaining regular checkups is key. Nutritional care is not just about diet—it’s about giving our special children the foundation for a stronger, healthier future.

❓ FAQ: Rickets and Autism – Parents’ Common Questions