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By Antony Gitonga
Cases of rickets, a disease that affects children and caused by vitamin D deficiency, have reached alarming levels in Naivasha.
Yesterday, health experts called for quick action and research to eradicate the disease.
Records from the local district hospital, indicate some 100 to 120 new cases are reported monthly.
The hospital occupational therapist, Mr Charles Kariuki said most cases had been reported among children below four months.
"This is the first time such cases have been noted here and among minors below four months," he said
Mr Kariuki said this month has the highest figures of more than 120 new cases by yesterday.
Flower farms
Incidentally, most cases come from flower farms workers, a fact he attributed to absentee mothers.
"Mothers in flower farms work for around ten hours and their infants do not breastfeed well," he said.
He warned that if unchecked the problem could escalate, threatening the future of hundreds of babies.
He, however, said if the babies were properly breastfed, rickets in the area could drop by 60 per cent.
Rickets symptoms include a bigger forehead, rough skin on the stomach and under the feet, persistent fever and diarrhoea.
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