Which vitamin deficiency can lead to rickets in children?

Rickets in children is primarily caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D. This vitamin is crucial for the body’s ability to absorb calcium and phosphate, which are essential for developing strong bones. When children do not receive adequate Vitamin D, their bodies cannot properly metabolize calcium, leading to softening and weakening of the bones, which is the hallmark of rickets.

Exposure to sunlight, dietary intake of Vitamin D, and fortified foods are typically how children meet their Vitamin D needs. A lack of these factors can lead to insufficient levels of Vitamin D, promoting the disease. Therefore, ensuring children have enough Vitamin D is a key preventative measure against rickets, making this vitamin fundamental for bone health during critical growth periods in childhood.

While other vitamin deficiencies can lead to various health issues, they do not directly cause rickets as Vitamin D deficiency does.