Pregnant women with poor diets should be screened to stop a rise in the numbers of cases of children with rickets, doctors said today.

More than 200 children a year are being treated for rickets at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Rickets – which was rife in Victorian England – is a bone disorder caused by lack of vitamin D, which is absorbed by the body from sunlight or fortified food.

Doctors are so concerned they want more to be done to raise awareness. They want all mums at risk to be screened for vitamin D deficiency.

Dr James Greening, a consultant paediatrician and endocrinologist, or hormone expert, said: "If left untreated, rickets can lead to permanent deformity. If a patient's calcium level is very low it can also lead to collapse and epileptic fits. It is a very simple disease to cure."

The condition is most common in women from the south Asian community, whose traditional dress can prevent skin getting enough sunlight – making them more prone to lack of vitamin D.

Ravinder Kaur, 26, was devastated when she realised her baby had rickets. She noticed the problem when Mohkam Singh was about 10 months old and started to stand and walk.

When she took him to the doctor, rickets – a potentially life-threatening disorder – was diagnosed.

Ravinder, from Evington, said: "It had never occurred to me. Mohkam Singh ate so well and had his bottles of milk. It is upsetting when you realise what has happened."

She has spoken to persuade other parents to get treatment.

Ravinder said: "I could see Mohkam Singh's little legs seemed bowed but I thought it was because of his nappy. Then people started remarking on his legs.

"When a specialist saw him rickets was diagnosed and he was put on a vitamin D supplement. He is doing well and his legs are becoming straighter."

After the problem was highlighted in the Mercury last year, NHS Leicester City set up a special working group. It is encouraging pregnant women, parents and children to make sure they get enough vitamins through a 'healthy start' programme.

Cath Pritchard, NHS Leicester City public health consultant, said: "By improving knowledge and promoting healthy start vitamins, we will reduce the number of children with rickets."

Dr Sudhir Sethi, a community consultant paediatrician with NHS Leicester City, said: "I am grateful to the Mercury for highlighting this. The number of cases needs to be curbed and prevented by appropriate intervention at the right time."

www.healthystart.nhs.uk.