Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as both a hormone and a vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency occurs when there is too little vitamin D in the blood, which can lead to two disease processes: rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. These diseases soften and weaken the bone tissue, according to the Langone Medical Center.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in food sources and is naturally produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D helps the body maintain phosphate and calcium levels. Without vitamin D, the body produces hormones that leach calcium and phosphate from the bones, therefore weakening and softening the bone structure. Two diseases associated with weakened bones in response to vitamin D deficiency are rickets and osteomalacia, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is absorbed from ingested food or produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. The likelihood of vitamin D deficiency increases when people work indoors, live in low sunlight climates, have darker skin, are elderly, obese or wear sunscreen. It can also occur in those with inflammatory bowel disease or in babies who are exclusively breast-fed. Deficiency is also observed in people who do not consume foods rich in vitamin D, such as dairy products, reports the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of rickets or osteomalacia include bone pain, dental abnormalities such as cavities or soft teeth, stunted growth, aching muscles, muscle spasms, abnormal heart rate and short stature. The weakened bones easily fracture and form bowed legs, bumps on the ribcage and an abnormally shaped spine, reports the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Exams and Tests
Rickets and osteomalacia are diagnosed by assessing the blood for vitamin D levels, in addition to phosphate, calcium and creatinine. A bone biopsy assesses the bone structure for softening. X-rays and a bone scan measure bone density, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Treatment
Treatment involves oral supplementation of vitamin D, phosphate and calcium in high doses. Regular blood tests are administered to assess the reestablishment of vitamin D levels in the blood, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Braces are used to support abnormally shaped bones in the lower legs and surgery is used to correct severe bone deformities, reports the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Prognosis
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, established bone deformities are permanent, but vitamin D deficiency is treatable with vitamin D supplementation and further damage to the bones can be prevented. Beneficial results with oral supplementation are observed after one week.
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