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Osteomalacia
DefinitionOsteomalacia involves softening of the bones caused by a deficiency of vitamin D or problems with the metabolism of this vitamin.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
There are numerous causes of osteomalacia. In children, the condition is called rickets and is usually caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. Conditions that may lead to osteomalacia include inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D, inadequate exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), which produces vitamin D in the body and malabsorption of vitamin D by the intestines.
Other conditions that can cause osteomalacia include hereditary or acquired disorders of vitamin D metabolism; kidney failure and acidosis; phosphate depletion associated with low dietary intake of phosphates; kidney disease or cancer (rare), and side effects of medications used to treat seizures.
Risk factors are related to the causes. In the elderly, there is an increased risk amongst those who tend to remain indoors and who avoid milk because of lactose intolerance.
Use of very strong sunscreen, limited exposure of the body to sunlight, short days of sunlight, and smog are factors that decrease formation of vitamin D within the body.
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- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD - Pediatric)
- Memory Loss
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Osteomalacia Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Osteomalacia Symptoms & Signs
• Osteomalacia Prevention
• Osteomalacia Diagnosis & Tests
• Osteomalacia Treatment
• Osteomalacia Prognosis
• Osteomalacia Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acidosis
• Acute Kidney Failure
• Kidney Disease
• Lactose Intolerance
• Malabsorption
• Rickets
Tests & Exams
• ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Isoenzyme
• Bone Lesion Biopsy
• Bone X-Ray
• Calcium - Ionized
• PTH
• Serum Calcium
• Serum Phosphorus
Other Topics
• Bone Pain or Tenderness
• Hand or Foot Spasms
• Metabolism
• Numbness and Tingling
• Renal
• Seizures
• Vitamin D
• Weakness
Review Date : 9/1/2002
Reviewed By : Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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