What is Vitamin D deficiency?

Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. You can also get vitamin D from certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood.

What is Vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency means you don’t have enough vitamin D in your body.Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that your body uses for normal bone development and maintenance. Vitamin D also plays a role in your musculosekeletal system , central nervous system & immune system.

Reason of Deficiency

i) reduced endogenous synthesis due to inadequate exposure to sunlight;
ii) dietary deficiency of vitamin D;
iii) malabsorption of lipids due to lack of bile salts such as in intrahepatic biliary obstruction, pancreatic insufficiency and malabsorption syndrome;
iv) derangements of vitamin D metabolism as occur in kidney disorders (chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, uraemia), liver disorders (diffuse liver disease) and genetic
disorders; and
v) resistance of end-organ to respond to vitamin D.

Disorder due to vitamin D deficiency

1. rickets in growing children;
2. osteomalacia in adults; and
3. hypocalcaemic tetany due to neuromuscular dysfunction.

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RICKETS

The primary defects in rickets are:interference with mineralisation of bone; andderanged endochondral and intramembranous bonegrowth.The pathogenesis of lesions in rickets is better understoodby contrasting them with sequence of changes in normal bonegrowth as outlined.

Morphological presentation of Individual having Ricket

Rickets occurs in growing children from 6 months to 2 years of age. The disease has the following lesions and clinical characteristics Skeletal changes. These are as under:

i) Craniotabes is the earliest bony lesion occurring due to small round unossified areas in the membranous bones of the skull, disappearing within 12 months of birth. The skull looks square and box-like.
ii) Harrison’s sulcus appears due to indrawing of soft ribs on inspiration.
iii) Rachitic rosary is a deformity of chest due to cartilaginous overgrowth at costochondral junction.
iv) Pigeon-chest deformity is the anterior protrusion of sternum due to action of respiratory muscles.
v) Bow legs occur in ambulatory children due to weak bones of lower legs.
vi) Knock knees may occur due to enlarged ends of the femur, tibia and fibula.
vii) Lower epiphyses of radius may be enlarged.

WHAT IS OSTEOMALACIA ?

Osteomalacia is characterised by:

i) muscular weakness;

ii) vague bony pains;

iii) fractures following trivial trauma;

iv) incomplete or greenstick fractures; and

v) looser’s zones or pseudofractures at weak places in bones.

Who does vitamin D deficiency affect?

Anyone can have vitamin D deficiency, including infants, children and adults.

Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in people with higher skin melanin content (darker skin) and who wear clothing with extensive skin coverage, particularly in Middle Eastern countries.

How can I prevent vitamin D deficiency?

The best way to prevent vitamin D deficiency is to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D in your diet and/or through sun exposure.

Recommended Daily Intake:

1. Infants: 400 IU (International Units)
2. Children and Adolescents: 600 IU
3. Adults: 600-800 IU
4. Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: 600-800 IU

Food Sources:

1. Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines.
2. Fortified Dairy: Milk, cheese, and yogurt.
3. Mushrooms: Shiitake and portobello mushrooms.
4. Egg Yolks: Rich in vitamin D.
5. Fortified Cereals: Many breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D.

Recommendation

if you are facing any kind of dificiency & experiencing above symptoms

Consult:

1. Healthcare provider
2. Registered dietitian
3. registered Medical officer

What is Hypervitaminosis D?

Very large excess of vitamin D may cause increased intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, leading to hypercalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia and increased bone resorption. 

These changes may result in the following effects:

i) increased urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate;

ii) predisposition to renal calculi;

iii) osteoporosis; and

iv) widespread metastatic calcification, more marked in therenal tubules, arteries, myocardium, lungs and stomach.https://www.facebook.com/sciencegajab

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