Abstract Objectives: To study vitamin D deficiency rickets and associated factors in the Almadinah
Almunawwarah region, where this problem has not been studied previously, despite reports
from other parts of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We conducted a prospective hospital-based study of cases of rickets or hypocalcaemia
seen in the outpatient clinic or admitted to the main referral hospital between October 2008 and
March 2009. Socioeconomic, clinical and biochemical data were collected and analyzed to determine
the factors associated with rickets include environmental, nutritional and maternal in Almadinah
Almunawwarah region.
Results: The presenting features of the 136 cases of rickets seen were diarrhoea and vomiting or
cough and fever in 48, convulsions in 11 infants (8.1% of the total and 33.3% of those aged less
than 1 year), bow legs in 78, delayed dentition in 33, delayed standing in 38, hypotonia in 25, abnormal
gait in 54 and sweating in 33. The factors associated with rickets were multiple.
Conclusion: Rickets is prevalent in the Medina region. The main factor associated with its prevalence
was environmental and cultural avoidance of exposure to the sun, which shines all the year
round. As rickets is a preventable disease, vitamin D supplementation should be given. All breastfed