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How is osteomalacia related to vitamin D deficiency in adults?

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rickets, a nutritional disease — nutritional disease Children with rickets. The disease, which most commonly strikes children, causes bone deformities such as bowlegs. Rickets is caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium.

Osteomalacia is a condition in adults characterized by the progressive softening of bones due to inadequate mineralization of the bone matrix. This condition is directly related to vitamin D deficiency, which impairs the body's ability to maintain proper bone rigidity.123

In a healthy state, the active form of vitamin D, known as calcitriol, stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the intestines. When vitamin D levels are insufficient, the body cannot absorb these minerals efficiently, leading to low serum concentrations. To compensate for low blood calcium, the parathyroid glands secrete parathormone, which leaches calcium from the bones to restore serum levels.34

Consequently, while the production of the protein matrix (osteoid) continues, it remains poorly calcified. This lack of mineral deposition results in the characteristic softening of the bones. While rickets is the term used for this process in children, it is referred to as osteomalacia in adults.312