What is XLH
What is XLH
Symptoms of XLH in children
![connect the symptoms](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/crysvita-xlh-patient.png)
XLH affects every child differently
The symptoms of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) vary from child to child. They can appear at any age and can worsen or change over time. Symptoms affect children and adults differently.
Children with XLH often experience bowed legs or knock knees
One of the first signs of XLH is a weakening of growing bones. This is called rickets. This typically appears as bowed legs or knock knees when a child begins to walk and put weight on their legs. As XLH progresses, bone weakening can lead to additional signs and symptoms, including bone and joint pain as well as short stature.
Symptoms of XLH in children
Symptoms in children may include:
![Icon of dotted outline of bone](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/weakening-of-bones.png)
Rickets
(weakening of growing bone)
![soft bones](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/band-leg.png)
Osteomalacia
(weakening of mature bone)
![Icon of a crawling baby](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/delayed-walking.png)
Delayed walking
![Icon of child with short stature being measured by yardstick](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/short-stature.png)
Short stature
![Icon of two bones forming a joint with pain](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/bone-joint-pain.png)
Bone and joint pain
![Icon of bowed leg bones](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/bowed-leg.png)
Bowed legs and knock knees
![Icon of child with faded legs](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/irregularities-walking.png)
Irregularities in walking/balance
(gait abnormalities)
![Icon of arm muscle with pain and weakness](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/muscle.png)
Muscle pain and weakness
![Icon of teeth with an abscess](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/dental-abcesses.png)
Dental abscesses
![Icon of a row of teeth with one missing](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/tooth-loss.png)
Tooth loss
![Icon of misshapen head](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/shape-of-the-head.png)
Irregularities in the shape of the head
(craniosynostosis)
![Icon of headache](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/headache.png)
Headaches
often due to structural defects in the back of the skull (Chiari malformations)
![Icon of battery with low power](/images/what-is-xlh/symptoms-of-xlh-in-children/png/lg/battery.png)
Fatigue
Her legs were very bowed, and I knew that something wasn’t right.”
Emily
Both she and her daughter Isla (pictured) are living with XLH
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