[Pathological and X-ray study on bony specimens of rickets from 124 fetal and infantile autopsies].

The results of pathological and X-ray study on rickets of bony specimens from fetal and infantile autopsies are reported. Three important links were stressed in designing the study. The cases were divided into two groups: "congenital" and "postnatal". Each case has pathological slides and X-ray photographs of the rib, ulna and radius. GMA sections were used in this study to avoid decalcification and constriction of the bony specimens. The results showed that: Congenital rickets is existent in Beijing. Its incidence is 25.4%. The bony change was seen as early as 30 weeks of pregnancy. The pathological and X-ray features are not different between the "congenital" and "postnatal" groups; The incidence of fetal and infantile rickets is 35.5%. It is the highest in the rib, moderate in the ulna and lowest in the radius. The correlation of X-ray and pathological rickets was found to be 82.5% (rib), 77.3% (ulna) and 50% (radius). It can be seen that X-ray examination of the rib may raise the diagnostic rate to 12 times of that based on traditional wrist examination.