Warning Signs And Complications Of Cystinosis

Short Stature

A failure to grow is the most noticeable cystinosis symptom to the eye. Because important nutrients are being washed out of the body instead of absorbed, children are physically unable to grow the way they're supposed to. Infants are usually an average size at birth, but growth is slow enough that a child will be in the third percentile for both weight and height by the age of one. In addition to impaired growth, the loss of phosphorous may cause children to develop rickets. Their bones become soft and bowed because their bodies leech phosphorous from their skeletons to correct the nutrient deficiency. The patient's muscles will deteriorate even if they're moving and eating a balanced diet. In children, such a serious failure to grow and overall physical weakness is a sign that a medical condition is preventing them from developing.