What Is Rickets?
Rickets is a bone disorder that is caused by vitamin D deficiency. It is characterized by the softening and weakening of the bones. Vitamin D absorbs calcium and phosphate in the body, so the lack of vitamin D in a child’s body causes their body to have difficulty maintaining proper calcium and phosphorous levels in the bones.
Calcium and phosphorous are vital minerals for the body. Calcium and phosphorous combine with one another to form a mineral crystal that gives structure and strength to the bones. When a child has rickets, calcium and phosphorous are not properly absorbed into the bones, thus making them weak and soft.
Neocate and Rickets
A 2017 study at Yale revealed that Neocate formulas were linked to bone fractures, broken bones, hypophosphatemia (low phosphate levels), and rickets. When participants in the study were switched to an alternative formula, they saw an immediate improvement in calcium and phosphate levels, ultimately improving their skeletal development.
The link between Neocate and rickets is not something the defendant, Nutricia, warns consumers and doctors about. The only warning given to parents about bone disorders and fractures was a March 2016 statement that children using Neocate as a primary or sole source of nutrition “should be routinely monitored by clinicians.”
Warning Signs of Rickets
If you suspect your child has rickets, there are a few signs and symptoms to look out for. Typical symptoms of rickets, include:
- Fussy behavior
- Soft skull
- Bone tenderness
- Stunted growth and development
- Bone pain
- Bowed legs
- Wide joints (wrists, elbows, and knees)
If you think your child may have rickets, take them to the doctor immediately. They will conduct a physical exam and run blood tests and x-rays. Rickets can be a serious disease if left untreated.
Goldenberg Lauricella Can Help
If you’re concerned about Neocate and rickets and their effect on your child, you are not alone. Goldenberg Lauricella is currently accepting cases in which a child has taken Neocate and experienced serious bone disorders, low phosphate levels, rickets, spontaneous fractures, and/or broken bones. Please fill out the form below or give us a call. We will help you understand your rights and choices.