Rickets is a pediatric bone disease that results from inadequate mineralization of the osteoid matrix at the growth plate. It can present with osteomalacia, which is impaired mineralization of the bone matrix [1]. Despite advancements in preventive medicine, rickets continues to contribute to global disease burden and is associated with significant pediatric morbidity and mortality [2]. Currently, the greatest disease burden is in countries from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa with a prevalence ranging between 10% and 70% [1]. This wide range in prevalence is due to variations in diagnostic criteria between countries along with differences in documentation and reporting of total cases [1],[2].

Ineffective mineralization in osteomalacia and rickets is due to nutritional deficiencies in vitamin D or calcium, or decreased availability of phosphate [1],[2]. Regardless of the deficient mineral, resulting clinical manifestations are similar [1]. The clinical signs and symptoms primarily pertain to musculoskeletal findings including parietal and frontal bossing, widening of the wrist, lateral bowing of the femur and tibia, and delayed fontanelle closure [1],[2]. Though rickets is often due to malnutrition, genetic conditions and renal pathology may be the underlying cause. Renal Fanconi syndrome (RFS) is one of many etiologies that can result in rickets. It is characterized by dysfunction of the proximal tubule, resulting in generalized renal wasting of many nutrients, including calcium and phosphate. It occurs in many genetic disorders. One such disorder is cystinosis [3].

There are three phenotypic presentations of cystinosis: NC, intermediate cystinosis, and non-nephropathic (ocular) cystinosis [4]. Of these three conditions, NC has a prevalence of about 1 out of 100,000 to 200,00 live births in developing nations [5]. It is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder that results in toxic accumulation of cystine within many organs. Clinical manifestations include RFS, delayed growth, hypophosphatemic and hypocalcemic rickets, and widespread organ dysfunction due to cystine accumulation in cells [5]. We present a pediatric case that details the effects of chronic untreated NC. Appropriate and effective treatment of rickets requires investigating the underlying etiology. Given the prevalence of this genetic disorder and the associated sequelae, NC should be considered on the differential diagnosis when assessing a case of rickets.

A 17-month-old male from Anbar, Iraq was admitted to the pediatric unit in Jordan Hospital (JH) in Amman, Jordan. Prior to being admitted, he had an extensive clinical journey that spanned 5 months, which initially began at 12 months when he was admitted to Central Pediatric Hospital in Baghdad for tonsillitis. During this admission, an X-ray showed fraying and cupping of the left ulnar head. Prior to being discharged, he was diagnosed with osteopenia. At 14 months, he was readmitted for a second episode of tonsillitis, which resolved with treatment. At 15 months, the patient was seen at a clinic in Fallujah, Iraq for polyuria and polydipsia. It was characterized as “drinking water to the point of vomiting” along with frequent wet diapers, occurring every 2 hours. At this time, labs exhibited hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis. At 16 months, a more detailed workup was done at Welfare Child Hospital Bab Al-Moatham in Baghdad. Slit lamp examination showed cystine corneal deposition, urine analysis showed phosphaturia and serum cystine levels were elevated. During this visit he was diagnosed with both rickets and NC and was subsequently prescribed oral cysteamine pills and vitamin D supplementation.

Upon admission to JH, the primary complaints included persistent polydipsia, polyuria, and poor appetite. Despite having received the final diagnosis of NC in Iraq, his parents had traveled to Jordan for the sole purpose of reconfirming the diagnosis. Vitals upon admission were temperature of 36°C, pulse of 85 beats per minute, respiration rate of 25 per minute, and blood pressure of 101/65 (90–95%). His weight was at 3rd–5th percentile, height <3rd percentile, and head circumference was at the 90th percentile. Physical exam findings included frontal bossing, poor dentition, rachitic rosary (Figure 1), opened anterior fontanelle and lateral tibial bowing (Figure 2). An X-ray of the left and right forearm also exhibited fraying and cupping of the ulnar head (Figure 3A and Figure 3B). Developmental history was most notable for language regression; the patient stopped speaking at 14 months. Family history was significant for three paternal cousins, all of whom were siblings, who died secondary to an unspecified kidney disease. The patient’s parents were also consanguineous.

Lab findings were significant for hypochloremic metabolic acidosis, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypovitaminosis D. Furthermore, urine analysis exhibited increased excretion of electrolytes, amino acids, glucose, and protein. No cystine crystal corneal deposition was noted on slit lamp examination. Though the patient had received a prior diagnosis of NC in Baghdad, an attempt to remeasure serum cystine levels was made. However, due to faulty equipment, this could not be completed. Treatment was aimed at replenishing lost nutrients, along with initiating treatment of underlying NC, which included: alfacalcidol, potassium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and cysteamine. After clinical reconfirmation and prescription of a treatment regimen, the patient and his family returned to Anbar, Iraq.

Rickets is often attributed to nutritional deficiency of vitamin D or calcium. Though most cases in developing countries are secondary to malnutrition, it is necessary to rule out organic causes, including RFS. Persistent renal wasting of phosphate or calcium, even with adequate mineral supplementation will not improve a patient’s condition. Resulting chronic deficiencies can result in physical manifestations of rickets, language regression, and overall failure to thrive [3].

Renal Fanconi syndrome may be due to an underlying genetic condition and/or multiorgan disorder [3]. Nephropathic cystinosis, also referred to as infantile cystinosis, is the most common cause of RFS in children. Due to its prevalence, it is the initial genetic condition that is considered when assessing the etiology of RFS. Failure to thrive initially begins around 6–9 months of age, and by 18 months of age symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, and rickets are seen [6]. Definitive diagnosis of NC requires one of the following: corneal cystine crystal deposition on slit lamp examination by 12 months of age, elevated cystine concentration in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, biallelic pathogenic mutations in CTNS gene, and elevated cystine in cultured fibroblasts or placenta at birth [4].

Though NC could not be definitively confirmed during the patient’s admission at Jordan Hospital, he exhibited the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings associated with NC, which included failure to thrive, reduced appetite, polyuria, polydipsia, rachitic skeletal changes, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, RFS, and radiography suggestive of rickets. Furthermore, his parent’s consanguinity and family medical history of unspecified kidney disease in multiple paternal cousins suggested a genetic etiology for his condition. Mainstay treatment includes replenishing lost nutrients and cysteamine which prevents intracellular accumulation of cystine.

Prognosis of NC is dependent on timely diagnosis and early initiation of treatment. Despite treatment with cysteamine, many patients develop further complications due to widespread cystine deposition in tissue. Long-term sequelae include renal failure, hypothyroidism, myopathy, retinopathy, pulmonary insufficiency, and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism [7]. However, patients who received continuous treatment for at least eight years have shown significant reduction in overall morbidity and mortality [7]. In our presented case, the patient’s lengthy clinical journey exhibited the detrimental sequelae associated with delayed diagnosis. Most notably, the initial incorrect diagnosis of osteopenia rather than rickets at 12 months in Baghdad contributed to the overall delay in prompt assessment and diagnosis. An earlier diagnosis of rickets might have resulted in earlier recognition of RFS and NC. The World Health Organization statement on rickets notes that, one of the primary obstacles in adequate and prompt diagnosis of rickets is the lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria, prevention, and treatment [2].

In the five months leading up to admission at JH, the patient’s parents sought multiple medical opinions that undoubtedly incurred significant financial and emotional stress. Countless other families and patients are unable to seek such extensive medical care due to socioeconomic barriers and geographic location. Thus, it is imperative to establish clear guidelines for diagnosis of rickets and subsequent workup for assessing underlying etiology.

Nephropathic cystinosis is a complex illness that has the potential of impacting multiple organ systems that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. In cases of rickets where malnutrition as an etiology is not clearly identified, further assessment for total renal wasting and cystinosis can aid in prompt treatment and replenishment of nutrient deficiencies. This case not only highlights the sequelae of undiagnosed NC but also the arduous and protracted journey a patient may experience when seeking a diagnosis and treatment.