Vitamin D deficiency: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Vitamin D deficiency
| image          = [[File:614_Synthesis_of_Vitamin_D.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = Synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin
| field          = [[Endocrinology]]
| synonyms        = Hypovitaminosis D
| symptoms        = [[Rickets]], [[osteomalacia]], muscle weakness, bone pain
| complications  = [[Osteoporosis]], increased risk of [[cardiovascular disease]], [[autoimmune diseases]]
| onset          = Any age
| duration        = Chronic
| causes          = Inadequate [[sunlight]] exposure, poor dietary intake, malabsorption
| risks          = Limited sun exposure, [[obesity]], [[dark skin]], [[breastfeeding]] without supplementation
| diagnosis      = [[Blood test]] measuring [[25-hydroxyvitamin D]]
| differential    = [[Hyperparathyroidism]], [[osteoporosis]], [[osteomalacia]]
| prevention      = Adequate sunlight exposure, [[vitamin D]] supplementation
| treatment      = [[Vitamin D]] supplements, increased sunlight exposure
| medication      = [[Cholecalciferol]], [[ergocalciferol]]
| frequency      = Common
| deaths          = Rare
}}
[[File:VitaminD_levels_and_bone_diseases.svg|left|thumb|Vitamin D levels and bone diseases]]
[[File:Bone_Comparison_of_Healthy_and_Osteoporotic_Vertibrae.png|left|thumb|Bone Comparison of Healthy and Osteoporotic Vertebrae]]
[[File:Child_suffering_from_rickets.jpg|left|thumb|Child suffering from rickets]]
[[File:Vitamin_D_pills.jpg|thumb|Vitamin D pills]]
[[Vitamin D deficiency]], also referred to as hypovitaminosis D, is a state of insufficient levels of vitamin D in the body. Predominantly caused by inadequate sunlight exposure (especially sunlight with sufficient [[ultraviolet B rays]] (UVB)), dietary deficiency of vitamin D, conditions limiting vitamin D absorption, or those impairing the conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, this deficiency can lead to bone health issues and other complications.
[[Vitamin D deficiency]], also referred to as hypovitaminosis D, is a state of insufficient levels of vitamin D in the body. Predominantly caused by inadequate sunlight exposure (especially sunlight with sufficient [[ultraviolet B rays]] (UVB)), dietary deficiency of vitamin D, conditions limiting vitamin D absorption, or those impairing the conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, this deficiency can lead to bone health issues and other complications.
=== Causes and Risk Factors ===
=== Causes and Risk Factors ===
* '''Sunlight Exposure:''' Sunlight, especially UVB radiation, catalyzes the formation of vitamin D in the skin. Hence, individuals with limited sunlight exposure, such as those living at higher latitudes, working night shifts, or covering their skin for cultural or religious reasons, are at an increased risk of deficiency.
* '''Sunlight Exposure:''' Sunlight, especially UVB radiation, catalyzes the formation of vitamin D in the skin. Hence, individuals with limited sunlight exposure, such as those living at higher latitudes, working night shifts, or covering their skin for cultural or religious reasons, are at an increased risk of deficiency.
Line 6: Line 30:
* '''Malabsorption:''' Certain conditions like celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease can inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin D from the diet, contributing to the deficiency.
* '''Malabsorption:''' Certain conditions like celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease can inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin D from the diet, contributing to the deficiency.
* '''Impaired Conversion:''' Liver or kidney disorders, or certain genetic conditions, can affect the conversion of vitamin D into its active form.
* '''Impaired Conversion:''' Liver or kidney disorders, or certain genetic conditions, can affect the conversion of vitamin D into its active form.
=== Clinical Manifestations ===
=== Clinical Manifestations ===
The most recognized clinical manifestations of vitamin D deficiency involve bone health:
The most recognized clinical manifestations of vitamin D deficiency involve bone health:
* '''Children:''' In children, vitamin D deficiency can lead to [[rickets]], a condition characterized by bone-softening, leading to deformities and growth retardation.
* '''Children:''' In children, vitamin D deficiency can lead to [[rickets]], a condition characterized by bone-softening, leading to deformities and growth retardation.
* '''Adults:''' In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to [[osteomalacia]], a condition characterized by softening of the bones, causing bone pain and muscle weakness. This deficiency may also exacerbate [[osteoporosis]], leading to an increased risk of fractures.
* '''Adults:''' In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to [[osteomalacia]], a condition characterized by softening of the bones, causing bone pain and muscle weakness. This deficiency may also exacerbate [[osteoporosis]], leading to an increased risk of fractures.
=== Diagnosis and Treatment ===
=== Diagnosis and Treatment ===
Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is typically made via a blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the major circulating form of vitamin D. Treatment involves increased sunlight exposure, dietary modifications, and supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3. The optimal dosing and duration of supplementation can vary based on individual factors, including age, baseline vitamin D status, and specific health conditions.
Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is typically made via a blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the major circulating form of vitamin D. Treatment involves increased sunlight exposure, dietary modifications, and supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3. The optimal dosing and duration of supplementation can vary based on individual factors, including age, baseline vitamin D status, and specific health conditions.
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Vitamin D]]
* [[Vitamin D]]
* [[Rickets]]
* [[Rickets]]

Latest revision as of 15:29, 13 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Vitamin D deficiency
Synonyms Hypovitaminosis D
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Rickets, osteomalacia, muscle weakness, bone pain
Complications Osteoporosis, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases
Onset Any age
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Inadequate sunlight exposure, poor dietary intake, malabsorption
Risks Limited sun exposure, obesity, dark skin, breastfeeding without supplementation
Diagnosis Blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D
Differential diagnosis Hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, osteomalacia
Prevention Adequate sunlight exposure, vitamin D supplementation
Treatment Vitamin D supplements, increased sunlight exposure
Medication Cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths Rare


Vitamin D levels and bone diseases
Bone Comparison of Healthy and Osteoporotic Vertebrae
Child suffering from rickets
Vitamin D pills

Vitamin D deficiency, also referred to as hypovitaminosis D, is a state of insufficient levels of vitamin D in the body. Predominantly caused by inadequate sunlight exposure (especially sunlight with sufficient ultraviolet B rays (UVB)), dietary deficiency of vitamin D, conditions limiting vitamin D absorption, or those impairing the conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, this deficiency can lead to bone health issues and other complications.

Causes and Risk Factors[edit]

  • Sunlight Exposure: Sunlight, especially UVB radiation, catalyzes the formation of vitamin D in the skin. Hence, individuals with limited sunlight exposure, such as those living at higher latitudes, working night shifts, or covering their skin for cultural or religious reasons, are at an increased risk of deficiency.
  • Diet: Inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods (like fatty fish, cheese, and egg yolks) can also lead to deficiency.
  • Malabsorption: Certain conditions like celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease can inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin D from the diet, contributing to the deficiency.
  • Impaired Conversion: Liver or kidney disorders, or certain genetic conditions, can affect the conversion of vitamin D into its active form.

Clinical Manifestations[edit]

The most recognized clinical manifestations of vitamin D deficiency involve bone health:

  • Children: In children, vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a condition characterized by bone-softening, leading to deformities and growth retardation.
  • Adults: In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, a condition characterized by softening of the bones, causing bone pain and muscle weakness. This deficiency may also exacerbate osteoporosis, leading to an increased risk of fractures.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]

Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is typically made via a blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the major circulating form of vitamin D. Treatment involves increased sunlight exposure, dietary modifications, and supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3. The optimal dosing and duration of supplementation can vary based on individual factors, including age, baseline vitamin D status, and specific health conditions.

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="1"></references>


See also[edit]

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