Vitamin D deficiency
Human disorder / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Vitamin D deficiency or hypovitaminosis D is a vitamin D level that is below normal. It most commonly occurs in people when they have inadequate exposure to sunlight, particularly sunlight with adequate ultraviolet B rays (UVB).[1][2][3] Vitamin D deficiency can also be caused by inadequate nutritional intake of vitamin D; disorders that limit vitamin D absorption; and disorders that impair the conversion of vitamin D to active metabolites, including certain liver, kidney, and hereditary disorders.[4] Deficiency impairs bone mineralization, leading to bone-softening diseases, such as rickets in children. It can also worsen osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults, increasing the risk of bone fractures.[1][4] Muscle weakness is also a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency, further increasing the risk of fall and bone fractures in adults.[1] Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of schizophrenia.[5]
Vitamin D deficiency | |
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Other names | Hypovitaminosis D |
The normal process of Vitamin D absorption | |
Specialty | Endocrinology |
Symptoms | Usually asymptomatic |
Complications | Rickets, osteomalacia, other associated disorders |
Causes | Lack of vitamin D, inadequate sunlight exposure |
Risk factors | Age, people with dark skin, obesity, malabsorption, bariatric surgery, breastfed infants[1] |
Diagnostic method | Measuring the concentration of calcifediol in the blood |
Prevention | Sufficient sunlight exposure, dietary intake |
Treatment | Supplements |
Medication | Cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, calcifediol |
Frequency | Severe deficiency (<30 nmol/L): Europe 13%, US 5.9%, Canada 7.4%. Deficiency (<50 nmol/L): Europe 40%, US 24%, Canada 37%[2] |
Vitamin D can be synthesized in the skin under the exposure of UVB from sunlight. Oily fish, such as salmon, herring, and mackerel, are also sources of vitamin D, as are mushrooms. Milk is often fortified with vitamin D; sometimes bread, juices, and other dairy products are fortified with vitamin D.[1] Many multivitamins contain vitamin D in different amounts.[1]