Deficiency of Vitamin D (Calcitriol)

The Biochemistry Online – Free Online Lectures for Medical, Dental and Allied Health Sciences students by the Biochemistry Club.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

• Lack of exposure to sunlight. Most common in Muslim women who observe ‘Pardah’.
• Malabsorption of Vitamin D (Obstructive Jaundice, Steatorrhea).
• Abnormality of Vitamin D activation mostly in liver & renal diseases.
• Deficient renal absorption of phosphates.
• Nutritional deficiency of Calcium or phosphate may produce similar picture.

Consequences of Vitamin D Deficiency

Deficiency of Vitamin D may cause:

1. Rickets
2. Osteomalacia
3. Renal Osteodystrophy

Rickets

• It is the clinical manifestation of  Vitamin D deficiency in children.
• There is under mineralization of bones in children due to less absorption of calcium.
• There is continued formation of the collagen matrix of  bone, but incomplete mineralization, resulting in soft, pliable and bowing of  bones.

Osteomalacia

• Osteomalacia is the clinical manifestation of Vitamin D deficiency in adults.
• It results from demineralization of bone.
• Picture shows bowed legs of a man with Vitamin D deficiency which results in malformation of the skeleton.

All these lectures are organized and listed in detail in their proper sections. To view these lessons please visit the Vitamins Section in Biochemistry I. This can be approached by directly clicking the Biochemistry I button or it can also be approached from the drop down menu in Biochemistry I tab. Once you reach the section click the curriculum tab to view the full list in the section.

Any further questions or inquiries are welcome.

NOTE: Private coaching / tutoring services are also available. Students can also get these online.