Vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteomalacia; which condition can evolve into osteoporosis?

Vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteomalacia; which condition can evolve into osteoporosis?

• A. Rickets
• B. Osteomalacia
• C. Scurvy
• D. Pellagra

Answer: (B)

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. When adults lack vitamin D, bones don’t mineralize properly, leading to osteomalacia—soft, weakened bones with higher fracture risk. If this deficiency persists over time, the ongoing disruption of normal bone remodeling can contribute to a decrease in overall bone density, setting the stage for osteoporosis, which is characterized by porous bones and increased fracture risk. Among the options, this relationship fits best: osteomalacia is the condition tied to vitamin D deficiency that can lead to osteoporosis. Rickets is the pediatric counterpart of defective mineralization, not the adult progression to osteoporosis. Scurvy and pellagra are deficiencies of other nutrients (vitamin C and niacin) and don’t describe progression to osteoporosis.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. When adults lack vitamin D, bones don’t mineralize properly, leading to osteomalacia—soft, weakened bones with higher fracture risk. If this deficiency persists over time, the ongoing disruption of normal bone remodeling can contribute to a decrease in overall bone density, setting the stage for osteoporosis, which is characterized by porous bones and increased fracture risk. Among the options, this relationship fits best: osteomalacia is the condition tied to vitamin D deficiency that can lead to osteoporosis. Rickets is the pediatric counterpart of defective mineralization, not the adult progression to osteoporosis. Scurvy and pellagra are deficiencies of other nutrients (vitamin C and niacin) and don’t describe progression to osteoporosis.