Risk Factors of Nutritional Rickets among Children Under-five Years of Age

Abstract

Purpose: Rickets is one of the most common diseases of childhood and is more prevalent in the developing countries. It affects the rapid growth phase of the children. Rickets is affected by different factors which are understudied in Pakistan. This study aimed to identify the risk factors that lead to rickets in children under five years of age among diagnosed cases of the nutritional rickets. This may cause reduction in the incidence of the rickets by prevention of the factors that lead to rickets in the children. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the pediatric outpatients department of the Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan for 1 year from June 2021 to June 2022 on 132 diagnosed cases of the nutritional rickets. Patients were enrolled via non- probability convenient sampling technique and a set developed inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was collected through self-structured questionnaire after taking informed consent. Data analysis was done through SPSS version 25. Findings: Nutritional rickets was more common among children who had, age range from 1 to 3 years  group (64.39%), male gender (68.94%), lower socioeconomic status (55.30%), exclusive breastfeeding (70.45%), cow’s milk use (71.96%), no sunlight exposure (66.67%), shorter duration of sunlight exposure (57.58%) fully dressed during sunlight exposure (40.90%), no oil massage during sunlight exposure (63.30%), poor nutritional status (72.73%), and mothers with poor nutritional status (69.70%). In short, age group with range 1 to 3 years, male gender, lower socioeconomic status, exclusive breastfeeding, cow’s milk use, no sunlight exposure, shorter duration of sunlight exposure, fully dressed during sunlight exposure, no oil massage during sunlight exposure, child poor nutritional status, and mothers with poor nutritional status, all raise the of the nutritional rickets in children of under five years age. Recommendations: Supplements should be added in the diet of children during breastfeeding. Also, there should be adequate sunlight exposure of children. Finally, malnutrition of both children and mothers should be treated.