Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a vitamin D level that is below normal. It most commonly occurs in people when they have inadequate sunlight exposure (in particular sunlight with adequate ultraviolet B rays (UVB)). Vitamin D deficiency can also be caused by inadequate nutritional intake of vitamin D, disorders limiting vitamin D absorption, and conditions impairing vitamin D conversion into active metabolites—including certain liver, kidney, and hereditary disorders. Deficiency impairs bone mineralization, leading to bone softening diseases such as rickets in children. It can also worsen osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults, leading to an increased risk of bone fractures.