More than 20% of children from all social classes could be the victims of rickets, a recent hospital report suggests.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Professor Nicholas Clarke analyzed more than 200 children from Southampton for bone issues which essentially were caused by a lack of vitamin D and was surprised by the result which was is a reminder of 17th-century England.

The disease was one of the reasons which grew over the nation due to a poor diet and children who are not allowed out of the world. The ones who are deprived of the vitamin can suffer weak and bowed bones, but vitamin D supplements can help cure the situation.

In a normal situation, the body takes up Vitamin D in the form of sun-synthesis via the skin but eggs and oily fish such as mackerel also posses the vitamin.

Professor Clarke added: "A lot of the children we've seen have got low vitamin D and require treatment. In my 22 years at Southampton General Hospital, this is a completely new occurrence in the south that has evolved over the last 12 to 24 months and we are seeing cases across the board, from areas of deprivation up to the middle classes, so there is a real need to get national attention focused on the dangers this presents.”

The return of rickets in the north UK comes as surprise despite the cold climatic conditions and lower level of sun exposure in north, but what soared in Southampton is quite a shocking report.