$Unique_ID{BRK00665}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Causes a Rosary to Form on the Chest?}
$Subject{rickets rosary vitamins Musculoskeletal connective tissue tissues
Vitamin D bones cartilage sternum chest bone bowlegs spinal curvature cod
liver oil}
$Volume{M-17}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Causes a Rosary to Form on the Chest?


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QUESTION:  I have heard of a disease that causes a rosary to form on the
patient's chest.  It is not common and I can not even recall the reason for
this, but my mother used to warn us about this when we were children.  Can you
help me recall why?

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ANSWER:  I will bet it was when you refused to take your daily dose of cod
liver oil.  Just writing the words makes me recall the horrible taste, but
both our mothers were trying to prevent us from developing a disease known as
rickets, which is caused by a lack of Vitamin D.  Fish livers contain large
quantities of this valuable vitamin, and so oils produced from their livers,
particularly cod, were used to prevent the bone malformations that come with
rickets.  And it is rickets that produces the "rosary" you remember, because
the cartilage connection of the ribs to the sternum (chest bone) fails to
develop properly, forming a bead-like effect in young infants who suffered
from Vitamin D deficiency.  Other signs of faulty bone growth could be seen in
deformities such as bowlegs and spinal curvature.  While rickets is rare in
this vitamin conscious country, it is still seen where malnutrition and
vitamin deficiency continue to exist.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.