GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Over time, a vitamin D or calcium deficiency will cause rickets in children and soft bones (osteomalacia) in adults. See preventing rickets for more information and advice about ensuring your child gets enough vitamin D and calcium.

Detailed explanation-2: -A lack of vitamin D or calcium is the most common cause of rickets. Vitamin D largely comes from exposing the skin to sunlight, but it’s also found in some foods, such as oily fish and eggs. Vitamin D is essential for the formation of strong and healthy bones in children.

Detailed explanation-3: -Osteomalacia describes a disorder of “bone softening” in adults that is usually due to prolonged deficiency of vitamin D. This results in abnormal osteoid mineralization. In contrast, rickets describes deficient mineralization at the cartilage of growth plates in children.

Detailed explanation-4: -Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of rickets. Vitamin D deficiency prevents the efficient absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus. In a vitamin D–deficient state, only 10–15% of dietary calcium and 50–60% of dietary phosphorus are absorbed.