A 1-year-old child presents with bowing of the legs. X-ray of the knees shows widening, cupping, and fraying of the metaphyses with an increase in the distance between the metaphysis and epiphysis. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
- A Scurvy
- B Rickets ✓
- C Congenital syphilis
- D Hypophosphatasia
Correct answer: B. Rickets
Explanation
Rickets shows metaphyseal widening, cupping, and fraying with increased metaphyseal-epiphyseal distance due to defective mineralization of the growth plate. Scurvy shows a dense zone of provisional calcification (white line of Frankel) and a lucent zone (Trummerfeld zone). Congenital syphilis shows symmetrical periosteal reaction and metaphysitis. Hypophosphatasia shows severe undermineralization.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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