Rickets (scientific nomenclature: rachitis; from Greek ῥαχίτης rhakhÃtÄ“s, meaning "in or of the spine" which was chosen as a back-formation, see Etymology), is a condition that results in weak or soft bones in children and may have either dietary-deficiency or genetic causes. Symptoms include bowed legs, stunted growth, bone pain, large forehead, and trouble sleeping. Complications may include bone deformities, bone pseudofractures and fractures, muscle spasms, or an abnormally curved spine. The analogous condition in adults is osteomalacia.
One can characterise a child who appears to suffer from rickets as rachitic.