Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. In the absence of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus cannot be properly absorbed in the body which hinders skeletal growth. New-born babies and infants up to two years of age require constant administration of vitamin D under pediatric observation to insure that they develop correctly.
Vitamin D is also produced and temporarily stored by the body following sun exposure. Insufficient sun exposure, mal-absorption and the action of some drugs represent the most common causes for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is treated with supplements and a diet rich in fatty fish. The right dosage to be administered is prescribed by the doctor depending on the patient’s age and the health condition. Senior citizens and children pose the highest risks to develop vitamin D deficiency.
