(Médecine) Maladie de la croissance laissant la personne frêle, son squelette déformé et qui est due ŕ une carence en vitamine D.
ETYM New Lat., from Greek rachitis (sc. nosos), from rachis, -ios, the spine.
Inflammation of the vertebral column.
Inflammation of spine; rickets.
Childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight associated with impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus; SYN. rachitis.
Defective growth of bone in children due to an insufficiency of calcium deposits. The bones, which do not harden adequately, are bent out of shape. It is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D and insufficient exposure to sunlight. Renal rickets, also a condition of malformed bone, is associated with kidney disease.