Every parent longs for their child to grow up healthy and enjoy seeing them running around the house but not all have this opportunity due to the inability of their children to walk. Some conditions may show as early as the child is born, while others manifest with time. Therefore, it is essential to visit a physician for professional advice when you notice abnormalities in the child’s limbs. Though not all delay in using the limbs speaks of disability, the doctors can help you understand the situation and give the necessary measures. Below are some conditions that may cause the inability to walk in children:
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D and calcium are the essential nutrients in your body for the bone-making process. The skin typically manufactures it through exposure to sunlight. However, it is important to get vitamin D supplements for people who do not have enough sunlight access. Children are most at risk when they do not get enough of this vitamin because they are growing, and their bones need to be strong. There is enough sunshine during summer and spring, and many people may not need any supplements unless they do not spend a lot of time outside. However, it is advisable to add Vitamin D supplements to your diet in autumn and spring. Newborn babies below six months get this nutrient from breast milk; therefore, they should breastfeed adequately. After that, parents should introduce about 8.5 micrograms of Vitamin D supplement daily. Lack of Vitamin D brings about weak bones and joints, mostly leading to Rickets.
Talipes
This condition is also known as clubfoot and may affect either one foot or both. It mainly occurs when the outer leg muscles are weaker than the inner muscles, and the tendons on the inside become shorter. The cause for this uneven growth isn’t known, but it transfers through the bloodline. Research shows that one in every a thousand babies in the UK has the condition, primarily affecting the male gender. Doctors can detect this situation during pregnancy or at birth. Treatment involves manually putting the leg muscles in the proper position and putting a cast. The procedure happens weekly until results are visible.
Fibular and tibial Hemimelia
This disability is the lack of or under-development of the fibula or tibia bone, making one leg shorter. Most of the time, it affects the right leg rather than the left. Depending on the severity, the physician may opt for bone stretching, especially if a short fibula or tibia bone is present, surgery, or amputating and putting a prosthetic limb. In severe cases, the leg abnormality may be visible during pregnancy. However, in mild situations, it is only noticed when the child is growing, and the leg length difference starts to show.
When you visit a physician, they are most likely to perform an Ortolani test to determine whether the disorder originates from the hip joint. They might also recommend X-Rays to give fine details on the problem and how to handle it. If no deformity is present, a healthy diet and some sunshine will go a long way in keeping your child’s bones strong and healthy.
