What is the deficiency disease of calciferol?

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

Worldwide, as many as 1 billion people are estimated to have vitamin D deficiency, a condition that can have serious health consequences. The primary deficiency disease of calciferol, or vitamin D, affects the bones, leading to conditions known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Quick Summary

A lack of calciferol (vitamin D) impairs calcium and phosphorus absorption, leading to bone mineralization disorders. In children, this causes rickets, while in adults, it results in osteomalacia, both characterized by soft, weakened bones. Fatigue and muscle weakness are also common symptoms.

Key Points

Rickets in Children: Calciferol deficiency causes rickets, a condition leading to bone deformities and skeletal abnormalities in growing children due to inadequate mineralization.
Osteomalacia in Adults: In adults, calciferol deficiency results in osteomalacia, characterized by soft, weak bones and persistent bone pain.
Impaired Mineral Absorption: A lack of calciferol prevents proper intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, triggering a hormonal response that draws minerals from the bones.
Common Symptoms: Both rickets and osteomalacia can cause muscle weakness, bone pain, fatigue, and an increased risk of bone fractures.
Prevention and Treatment: Prevention relies on adequate sunlight exposure, consumption of vitamin D-rich or fortified foods, and supplements, while treatment involves high-dose vitamin D supplementation under medical care.
Underlying Mechanisms: Low calciferol elevates parathyroid hormone (PTH), which in turn accelerates bone breakdown to maintain blood calcium levels, causing skeletal damage.

Calciferol, commonly known as vitamin D, is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for regulating calcium and phosphate levels and enabling their absorption in the body. Its deficiency significantly impacts skeletal health, causing bone diseases that differ depending on age. This article details these conditions, their causes, and how they can be addressed.

The Role of Calciferol in Bone Health

Calciferol's main function is to facilitate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine. These minerals are vital for bone mineralization, which makes bones strong. When calciferol is deficient, this absorption is reduced, leading to lower blood calcium and phosphorus, and subsequently, weakened bones.

Rickets: Calciferol Deficiency in Children

Rickets affects children during their period of bone growth and development. Insufficient calciferol prevents proper bone mineralization, resulting in several issues:

Bone Deformities: Bones don't harden correctly, causing bowing or bending, especially in the legs.
Skeletal Changes: Soft spots on the skull and rib cage abnormalities can occur.
Growth and Development Issues: Children may experience delayed growth and motor skill development.
Muscle Weakness: Weak muscles and pain are also symptoms.
Increased Fractures: Soft bones are more fragile and prone to breaking.

Osteomalacia: Calciferol Deficiency in Adults

In adults, calciferol deficiency leads to osteomalacia, where existing bone matrix doesn't mineralize properly. This happens after bones have matured, making the symptoms different from rickets.

Symptoms of osteomalacia include:

Bone Pain: Persistent aching, often in the lower back, hips, and legs.
Muscle Weakness: Difficulty with movements like walking or standing.
Increased Fracture Risk: Bones weaken and are more susceptible to breaks.
Fatigue: A general feeling of tiredness and being unwell is common.

The Mechanism of Calciferol Deficiency

Low calciferol levels disrupt mineral balance, triggering a hormonal response to maintain blood calcium. Reduced calcium and phosphate absorption in the gut leads to low blood calcium. The parathyroid glands respond by increasing parathyroid hormone (PTH), which signals the body to release calcium from bones. This breakdown of bone tissue, without adequate mineralization, causes the soft and weak bones seen in rickets and osteomalacia.

Comparison Table: Rickets vs. Osteomalacia


Feature	Rickets	Osteomalacia
Affected Population	Children and infants	Adults
Physiological State	Occurs during bone growth	Occurs after bone maturity
Key Pathophysiology	Failure of mineralization at growth plates	Inadequate mineralization of existing bone matrix
Primary Symptoms	Bone deformities, delayed growth	Bone pain, muscle weakness
Skeletal Impact	Bowing and joint deformities	Soft, weakened bones, fractures
Diagnosis	X-rays showing skeletal abnormalities	Bone biopsy, imaging showing decreased bone density

Prevention and Treatment

Preventing calciferol deficiency involves sufficient intake from diet, sun exposure, and supplementation.

Sunlight: The skin produces calciferol when exposed to UVB rays. Brief sun exposure a few times a week can be beneficial, but factors like location, season, and skin type matter.
Diet: Fatty fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks contain calciferol. Fortified foods like milk and cereals are also sources.
Supplements: Many people need supplements, especially those with limited sun exposure or malabsorption issues. Dosages should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Treating deficiency typically involves high-dose calciferol supplements, sometimes with calcium, under medical guidance. While full recovery is often possible with treatment, severe rickets can cause permanent bone damage.

Conclusion

Calciferol, or vitamin D, is crucial for strong bones. Its deficiency leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, causing pain, weakness, and deformity. These conditions are largely preventable and treatable through adequate intake and medical care. Taking steps to maintain sufficient calciferol levels is essential for lifelong bone health.

Visit the National Institutes of Health for more information on vitamin D

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary diseases caused by calciferol (vitamin D) deficiency are rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Both are bone-weakening conditions resulting from poor mineralization.

Early signs in adults are often subtle and can include vague fatigue, general muscle aches and weakness, or a dull, persistent bone pain, especially in the back.

Rickets, affecting growing bones, leads to deformities like bowed legs and skeletal abnormalities. Osteomalacia in adults causes soft bones and bone pain, but since bone growth has ceased, it typically doesn't cause the same visible deformities.

No, dietary changes alone are usually insufficient for treating a severe calciferol deficiency. Supplementation with high doses of vitamin D is typically required to restore levels effectively under a doctor's supervision.

No, sun exposure is not always enough. Factors like geographic location, season, skin pigmentation, and sunscreen use can limit calciferol synthesis. Supplements are often necessary to prevent deficiency, especially during winter months or in high-risk individuals.

Calciferol's main role is to enable the body to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus from the diet. Without sufficient calciferol, the body cannot absorb enough calcium, leading to low blood calcium levels.

Yes, beyond bone health, calciferol deficiency has been linked to other issues, including increased risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, and problems with immune and neuromuscular function.