Prevalence of Rickets among Saudi Population in Arar, Saudi Arabia

Safya E.  Esmaeel; Hassan Tag Elkhatim Mohamed; Yasmin Saadi Hajaj  Alenazi; Fai Salamah  Alanazi; Hessa Sulaiman  Alsuwailem; Ahad Falah M  Alanazi

doi:10.54293/smhj.v3i2.71

Authors

Safya E. Esmaeel Assistant professor of Physiology, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, KSA. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9313-2656
Hassan Tag Elkhatim Mohamed Pediatric specialist, MCH hospital, Arar, KSA.
Yasmin Saadi Hajaj Alenazi Student, Faculty of Medicine in Northern Border University, Arar, KSA.
Fai Salamah Alanazi Student, Faculty of Medicine in Northern Border University, Arar, KSA.
Hessa Sulaiman Alsuwailem Student, Faculty of Medicine in Northern Border University, Arar, KSA.
Ahad Falah M Alanazi Student, Faculty of Medicine in Northern Border University, Arar, KSA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v3i2.71

Keywords:

rickets, bone minerilization, growth delay, Saudi Arabia, Pediatrics, Vitamin D

Abstract

Background Rickets is the most common non-communicable disease in pediatrics in developing countries, often observed in societies with strict vegetarian diets and not introduced to foods enriched in vitamin D. This poses a barrier to effective treatment, making it a chronic and often subclinical disease.

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of rickets among Saudi children and infants in Arar, Saudi Arabia, identify risk factors, and assess symptoms.

Methodology: This is a cross- sectional study conducted among Saudi general population in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Adult participants completed a self-administrated questionnaire for their children concerning rickets. All data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 23 with using appropriate statistical methods for description and analysis. P-value less than 0.05 was considered for statistical significance

Results: The study included 393 participants, 21.1% of them were males and 78.9% were females. 51.9% aged between 20- 30 years old. 27.3% of participants reported having a child diagnosed with rickets. Age of child at time of diagnosis was less than 12 months (63.4%), between 12- 24 months (31%) and more than 24 months (5.6%) of diagnosed children. Risk factors were identified as vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis in 81.7%, vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy in 78.9%, preterm labor in 45.1% and artificial breastfeeding in 31% of diagnosed children. 91.5% of diagnosed children improved after adherence to treatment.

Conclusion: Prevalence of rickets among Saudi children is high, and infants and toddlers should be the focus of rickets prevention strategies.