Rickets risk after drug shortage

Rickets weakens the bones in both children and adults

Health experts in Bristol say they are concerned a shortage of a vitamin D supplement could lead to a return of rickets in the Somali community.

UCB which sells the drug ergocalciferol has run out of tablets and injections and cannot say when it will be able to supply the vitamin again.

Previous estimates have put rickets at about 264 cases in the St Pauls area.

Dr Giles Oakley is concerned children could suffer: "You can get milder doses but they take up to a year to work."

He added: "With children that are at risk of rickets you need to get their [vitamin D] levels up quickly - the best way to do this is in liquid form to prevent rickets and other growth problems."

'Not notifiable'

Normally people get 90% of vitamin D through sunlight and the rest through food.

But Somalis tend to cover their skin and many do not eat fish which is a rich source of the vitamin.

A severe deficiency can cause rickets. It is not since the 1950s that the UK saw large numbers of severe cases where children had bow legs.

It is not known how many cases there are because it is not a notifiable disease.

A deficiency can also cause potentially fatal hypocalcaemia fits in children and breathing difficulties.

BBC West Health Correspondent Matthew Hill said he has been told the Childrens Hospital in Bristol recently dealt with two youngsters who were fitting. Now Bristol Primary Care Trust said it is trying to source the drug from abroad.