Bent Bones? Why?

[Dazzlewards]

DD (3 years 4 months) has legs that bend inwards at the knee (not sure if it's knocked-knees) particularly on one side and toes that bend over one another, particularly on the right foot.

She's always been like this. The GP just says that it will correct itself as she grows, but I'm not seeing any evidence of this so far.

Could this be a sign of something that I should deal with? A dietary deficiency perhaps?

Thanks.

[RuthChan]

The most likely dietary deficiency would be rickets. This is a deficiency of Vitamin D, which is necessary for the body to absorb calcium. The lack of calcium in the bones in turn leads to bones which grow bent rather than straight.
Rickets is very rare in western children if they have a balanced diet and sufficient time outside, as vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body can synthesise itself. It's made in the skin when exposed to sunlight.
Rickets also tends to be most obvious in the long bones, such as those of the leg. It wouldn't cause toes or other short bones to be noticably mis-shapen.

If you're worried, could you get a second opinion from another doctor?

[YougreatPamplemousse]

DD1 has what sound similar to your DD. Our HV has referred us to a physio and DD has an appointment in 3 weeks.

[paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife]

DD1 (17) has this. Google femoral anteversion. Hers is bad and cannot be corrected by strengthening muscles with physios, so she's decided to have surgery. But that is because she's in constant pain as her shin bones are rotated in oposite way so opposing forces on patella cause pain.
Ask for referal to othapeadic consultant if you feel this might be it. Most kids do grow out of it though.

[paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife]

It's normal for the femurs to rotate outwards in childhood before puberty. Just depends if your DD's are severe now.