What deficiency disease is caused by a lack of vitamin D?

Rickets is the deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin D, primarily affecting children. Vitamin D is crucial for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which are essential for healthy bone formation and growth. When there is insufficient vitamin D, it leads to improper mineralization of the bone, resulting in soft and weak bones, characterized by symptoms such as delayed growth, pain in the bones, and skeletal deformities.

In the context of vitamin deficiencies, rickets highlights the importance of vitamin D in maintaining bone health and structure. By ensuring adequate levels of vitamin D through diet or sunlight exposure, the risks associated with this deficiency can be significantly minimized.