A SYDNEY mother and father have pleaded not guilty to child neglect charges over the treatment of their 20-month-old daughter, who was left malnourished after being fed a strict diet.

The girl was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital a month ago after having a seizure.

Police were told the toddler was malnourished, suffered rickets — a preventable bone disease — and her height and weight were markedly low for her age.

“Police will allege in court the girl’s parents fed the child a strict diet, which was severely deficient in nutrients for her to thrive,” NSW Police said in a statement today.

The 31-year-old mother clutched her 33-year-old partner’s arm as their lawyers said they were pleading not guilty at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.

A police source said the parents were vegans.

The parents are due to face court again on May 30.