What disease is caused by lack of calciferol?

December 4, 2025 •

2 min read

Worldwide, it is estimated that one billion people have a vitamin D deficiency, with a lack of calciferol being a leading cause. This critical nutrient is essential for bone health, and its absence can lead to severe and painful skeletal disorders, impacting both children and adults.

Quick Summary

Lack of calciferol, also known as Vitamin D, can cause serious bone disorders. In children, this deficiency leads to rickets, while in adults, it causes osteomalacia. Both conditions result from inadequate bone mineralization, leading to soft, weak, and painful bones.

Key Points

Rickets in children: A lack of calciferol causes rickets, a disease where bones become soft, leading to skeletal deformities like bowlegs.
Osteomalacia in adults: In adults, calciferol deficiency leads to osteomalacia, a condition characterized by weak, soft bones and widespread pain.
Calcium and phosphate absorption: Calciferol is essential for the body's absorption of calcium and phosphate, minerals vital for bone mineralization.
Sunlight and diet: The body naturally produces calciferol from sun exposure and it is also found in foods like fatty fish and fortified milk.
Increased fracture risk: Both rickets and osteomalacia weaken bones, leading to a higher risk of fractures, especially in older adults with osteomalacia.
Treatment: Proper diagnosis and supplementation with calciferol can cure rickets and reverse osteomalacia, restoring bone health.

Calciferol: A Closer Look at Vitamin D

Calciferol is another name for Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for absorbing calcium and phosphate, essential minerals for strong bones. It can be obtained through sun exposure, diet, and supplements. Low calciferol hinders calcium absorption, leading to hormonal changes that weaken bones.

The Major Diseases from Calciferol Deficiency

A deficiency in calciferol primarily leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. These conditions involve poor bone mineralization but differ in how they affect developing versus mature skeletons.

Rickets: Soft Bones in Children

Rickets affects children, causing bones to soften and weaken. This can result in skeletal deformities as bones grow, such as bowlegs or knock-knees, and potentially a soft skull in infants. Early treatment with calciferol can prevent and cure rickets.

Osteomalacia: Adult Bone Softening

In adults, calciferol deficiency causes osteomalacia, leading to weak bones, pain, and muscle weakness. It doesn't cause the same deformities as rickets but results in poor mineralization of existing bone, causing dull, aching pain, often in the back and hips. This bone weakening increases fracture risk and can worsen osteoporosis.

How Calciferol Deficiency Affects the Body

When calciferol levels are low, the body increases parathyroid hormone (PTH) production to maintain blood calcium. PTH draws calcium from bones, contributing to their weakness and the pain experienced in rickets and osteomalacia.

Comparison of Rickets and Osteomalacia

Calciferol deficiency leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, both characterized by poor bone mineralization but impacting the skeleton differently. For a detailed comparison, including affected population, mechanism, skeletal deformities, pain location, diagnosis methods, and treatment approaches, please refer to {Link: MSD Manuals https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/vitamins/vitamin-d-deficiency}.

Sources of Calciferol and Prevention

Preventing calciferol deficiency involves sufficient intake and sun exposure. Vitamin D exists as ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Key sources and factors include fatty fish, fortified foods, some mushrooms, and egg yolks, as well as moderate sunlight exposure and supplementation, particularly for those at higher risk such as older adults or individuals with certain health conditions.

Conclusion

Calciferol (Vitamin D) is vital for bone health, and its deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Both conditions weaken bones due to poor mineralization. Adequate calciferol through diet, sun, or supplements is essential for prevention and treatment. Consult a healthcare provider if you suspect a deficiency.

For more detailed information on Vitamin D deficiency and its related disorders, you can visit the StatPearls article on the NCBI Bookshelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary function of calciferol (Vitamin D) is to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from the intestines. This process is crucial for the formation and maintenance of strong, healthy bones and teeth.

Rickets affects children, causing their developing bones to become soft and malformed. Osteomalacia affects adults, causing the mineralization of mature bones to fail, leading to bone weakness and pain.

Symptoms can include bone pain, muscle weakness, and, in severe cases, deformities of the skeleton. In infants, signs of rickets can be a soft skull or bowed legs.

Prevention involves a combination of sun exposure and diet. Safe, regular sunlight exposure prompts the body to produce calciferol. Dietary sources include fatty fish, fortified dairy and cereals, and some mushrooms.

Yes, individuals with limited sun exposure, darker skin, older adults, those with obesity, and people with certain medical conditions like celiac or kidney disease are at higher risk.

If left untreated, calciferol deficiency can lead to severe bone pain, increased risk of fractures, and potentially irreversible skeletal deformities in children.

No. While calcium is important, without sufficient calciferol, the body cannot effectively absorb it. Therefore, both calciferol and calcium need to be at adequate levels for proper bone health.