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eMedicine Specialties > Endocrinology > Metabolic Disorders
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders
==========================================

Author: Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Emory University
School of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Natasha B Khazai, MD, Instructor of Medicine, Division of
Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Updated: Oct 5, 2009

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Overview
Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Treatment & Medication
Follow-up

Multimedia
References

Keywords
Further Reading

Introduction
------------
Background

Vitamin D deficiency in children can manifest as rickets (it is the
most common cause of nutritional rickets), which presents as bowing of
the legs. Vitamin D deficiency in adults results in osteomalacia,
which presents as a poorly mineralized skeletal matrix. These adults
can experience chronic muscle aches and pains.1 (See images below and
Images 1-3.)
Findings in patients with rickets.

Findings in patients with rickets.
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Findings in patients with rickets.
Findings in patients with rickets.

Radiograph in a 4-year-old girl with rickets depi...
Radiograph in a 4-year-old girl with rickets depicts bowing of the
legs caused by loading.

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Radiograph in a 4-year-old girl with rickets depi...

Radiograph in a 4-year-old girl with rickets depicts bowing of the
legs caused by loading.
Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the wr...

Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the wrist of an
8-year-old boy with rickets demonstrates cupping and fraying of
the metaphyseal region.
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Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the wr...
Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the wrist of an 8-year-old
boy with rickets demonstrates cupping and fraying of the metaphyseal
region.

Vitamin D is important for calcium homeostasis and for optimal
skeletal health. The term vitamin D refers to either vitamin D2 or
vitamin D3. Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is either made
in the skin or obtained in the diet from fatty fish. Vitamin D2, also
known as ergocalciferol, is obtained from irradiated fungi, such as
yeast. Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are used to supplement food products
or are contained in multivitamins. Past studies suggested that vitamin
D3 may be more effective than vitamin D2 in establishing normal
vitamin D stores.2,3 However, a study by Holick and colleagues
demonstrated that vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 appear to be equipotent in
raising 25(OH)D concentrations when given in daily doses of 1000 IU.4
Pathophysiology

Vitamin D deficiency can result from a variety of causes, including
inadequate exposure to sunlight, malabsorption problems, lack of
vitamin D in breast milk, and the effects of certain medications. (See
Causes.)
The production of vitamin D3 in the skin involves a series of
reactions initiating with 7-dehydrocholesterol. Upon exposure to
ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation between the wavelengths of 290-315 nm,
7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to previtamin D3, which is then
converted to vitamin D3 after a thermally induced isomerization
reaction in the skin. From the skin, newly formed vitamin D3 enters
the circulation by binding to vitamin D binding protein (DBP). In
order to become active, vitamin D requires 2 sequential hydroxylations
to form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25OH2 D).

Vitamin D is initially hydroxylated in the 25 position by the hepatic
microsomal and/or mitochondrial enzyme vitamin D 25-hydroxylase. The
second hydroxylation occurs in the kidney by the P450 enzyme
25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase. Upon entering the cell, the
1,25(OH)2 D hormone binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The bound
vitamin D receptor then forms a heterodimer with the retinoic acid X
receptor (RXR). This heterodimer then goes to the nucleus to bind
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and increases transcription of vitamin
D–related genes.
The major function of vitamin D is to increase the efficiency of
calcium absorption from the small intestine. Heaney and colleagues
demonstrated that maximum calcium absorption occurs at levels of
25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) greater than 32 ng/mL.5 Vitamin D also
enhances the absorption of phosphorus from the distal small bowel.
Adequate calcium and phosphorus absorption from the intestine is
important for proper mineralization of the bone. The second major
function of vitamin D is for the maturation of osteoclasts to resorb
calcium from the bones.

Inadequate circulating 25(OH)D is associated with elevated parathyroid
hormone (PTH); this condition is called secondary hyperparathyroidism.
The rise in PTH may result in increased mobilization of calcium from
the bone, which results in decreased mineralization of the bone.
Of note, prolonged exposure to the sun does not cause vitamin D
toxicity. This is because after prolonged UVB radiation exposure, the
vitamin D made in the skin is further degraded to the inactive vitamin
D metabolites tachysterol and lumisterol.  

Frequency
United States

Vitamin D insufficiency is highest among people who are elderly,
institutionalized, or hospitalized. In the United States, 60%
of nursing home residents6 and 57% of hospitalized patients7 were
found to be vitamin D deficient.
However, vitamin D insufficiency is not restricted to the elderly and
hospitalized population; several studies have found a high prevalence
of vitamin D deficiency among healthy, young adults. A study from
Boston determined that nearly two thirds of healthy, young adults in
Boston were vitamin D insufficient at the end of winter.8

International
Similar rates of vitamin D deficiency have been reported in Europe9
and Canada. A greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency exists in
Middle Eastern countries. A study of 316 young adults aged 30-50 from
the Middle East showed that 72.8% had 25(OH)D values of less than 15
ng/dL (that is, severely deficient). This was significantly more
common in women than in men (83.9% vs 48.5%). The difference
between sexes probably reflects the cultural and religious
practices leading to less skin exposure in women than in men.10,11,12,13

Mortality/Morbidity
The treatment of vitamin D insufficiency can decrease the risk of
hip and nonvertebral fractures.14,15 A meta-analysis by Boonen et
al of postmenopausal women and of men aged 50 years or older
reporting a risk of hip fracture found that oral vitamin D
supplementation reduced the risk of hip fractures by 18% when
vitamin D and calcium were taken together.16 Most of the trials
that demonstrated the antifracture efficacy of vitamin D used
approximately 800 IU of vitamin D3. The minimum 25(OH)D level at
which antifracture efficacy was observed was 30 ng/ml (74 nmol/L),
suggesting a threshold for optimal levels of 25(OH)D for fracture
protection.

Bischoff-Ferrari et al, in another meta-analysis, evaluated the
 efficacy of oral vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of
 hip and other nonvertebral bone fractures.17 The analysis, of
 individuals aged 65 years or older, took into account 12
 double-blind, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) for
 nonvertebral fractures (n = 42,279) and 8 RCTs for hip fractures
 (n = 40,886), comparing the results obtained from the use of oral
 vitamin D (with or without calcium) with those derived from the
 administration of calcium alone and from placebo use.
The results indicated that vitamin D offers dose-dependent
protection against fractures. In this study, doses of more than
400 IU per day were found to reduce fractures by at least 20% in
individuals aged 65 years or older. In contrast to the Boonen
study, the investigators maintained that these effects were
independent of calcium supplementation.

Vitamin D insufficiency contributes to osteoporosis by decreasing
 intestinal calcium absorption.5,18 Treatment of vitamin D
 deficiency has been shown to improve bone mineral density.19,20 An
 analysis of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination
 Survey (NHANES III) demonstrated a positive correlation between
 circulating 25(OH)D levels and bone mineral density.21
Vitamin D supplementation has been associated with a reduction in
 falls involving the older population. A meta-analysis demonstrated
 that vitamin D supplementation resulted in a reduction in falls of
 about 22% in ambulatory and institutionalized elderly subjects, as
 compared with controls.22,23

Epidemiologic data suggest that vitamin D deficiency places adults
 at risk for developing cancer24,25,26,27,28 ; these apparently
 include breast, colon, and prostate cancer.29,30 Several studies
 using cultured cancer cells in mice models have also supported the
 notion that vitamin D prevents the growth of cancers.31 Larger,
 randomized clinical trials are underway in humans to establish the
 role of vitamin D in the prevention of cancers.
Vitamin D insufficiency may increase the risk for type I and type
 II diabetes mellitus.32,33 In NHANES III, lower vitamin D status
 was associated with higher fasting glucose and 2-hour glucose
 after an oral glucose tolerance test.34 Furthermore, vitamin D
 supplementation in adults has been associated with improved
 insulin sensitivity in several small, case-control studies.32

A meta-analysis evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation
 (using a mean supplementation dosage of about 500 IU daily) on
 all-cause mortality in 18 randomized controlled trials and found a
 7% relative risk reduction for death.35
Race

Darker skin interferes with the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. A
study from by Holick and coauthors demonstrated that non-Hispanic
black subjects require 6 times the amount of UV radiation necessary to
produce the similar serum vitamin D concentration seen in non-Hispanic
white subjects.36 The explanation for the increased radiation
necessary to increase vitamin D levels is that melanin absorbs
ultraviolet radiation. 
A higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency exists among
non-Hispanic black persons. Dawson-Hughes and colleagues demonstrated
that in Boston, 73% of elderly black subjects were vitamin
D insufficient, compared with 35% of elderly non-Hispanic whites.37 In
a large survey of 1500 healthy black women younger than 50 years, 40%
were vitamin D deficient (25OHD <16 ng/mL), as compared with 4% of
1400 white women in that study.38 The decreased efficacy of vitamin D
production by darker-pigmented skin explains the higher prevalence of
vitamin D insufficiency among darker-skinned adults. 

Age
Vitamin D production in the skin declines with advancing age, making
elderly populations more dependent on dietary vitamin D. For the
average older person, higher dietary intake of vitamin D may be
required to achieve optimal serum levels of 25(OH)D.33

Clinical
--------
History

Vitamin D deficiency is often a silent disease. As previously
mentioned, vitamin D deficiency in children can present as bowing of
the legs from rickets. In adults, vitamin D deficiency results in
osteomalacia, which presents as a poorly mineralized skeletal matrix.
Adults in these cases can experience chronic muscle aches and pains.1
Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of nutritional rickets.
Rare genetic forms of rickets occur because of defects in vitamin D
metabolism. Vitamin D – dependent rickets type I occurs because of a
defect in the renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase that
results in decreased 1,25(OH) 2 D production. Vitamin D – dependent
rickets type II occurs when a mutation exists in the VDR.

Physical
In children with a severe vitamin D deficiency, the examination
 may reveal bowing in the legs.

In adults with a severe vitamin D deficiency, the examination can
 reveal periosteal bone pain. This is best detected using firm
 pressure on the sternal bone or tibia.
Causes

Inadequate exposure to sunlight - This causes a deficiency in
 cutaneously synthesized vitamin D. Adults in nursing homes or
 health care institutions are at a particularly high risk.39
Vitamin D malabsorption problems - People who have undergone
 resection of the small intestine are at risk for this condition.
 Diseases associated with vitamin D malabsorption include celiac
 sprue, short bowel syndrome,40 and cystic fibrosis.41

Minimal amounts of vitamin D in human breast milk - The American
 Academy of Pediatrics recommends vitamin D supplementation
 starting at age 2 months for infants fed exclusively with breast
 milk.42
Medications - Some medications are associated with vitamin D
 deficiency. Drugs such as Dilantin, phenobarbital, and rifampin
 can induce hepatic p450 enzymes to accelerate the catabolism of
 vitamin D.

More on Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders
Overview: Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders

Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Vitamin D Deficiency and Related
Disorders
Treatment & Medication: Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders

Follow-up: Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders
Multimedia: Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders

References
Further Reading

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References
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Further Reading
---------------
Related eMedicine topics:
Disorders of Bone Mineralization
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypocalcemia Emergency Medicine
Hypocalcemia Nephrology
Hypocalcemia Pediatrics: General Medicine
Osteoporosis
Rickets Pediatrics: General Medicine
Rickets Radiology

Clinical guidelines:
Optimizing bone health and calcium intakes of infants, children, and
adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics - Medical Specialty
Society. 1999 (revised 2006 Feb). 8 pages. NGC:004848
Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children,
and adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics - Medical Specialty
Society. 2003 Apr (revised 2008 Nov). 11 pages. NGC:006924

Clinical trials:
Controlled Trial of Prenatal Vitamin D3 Supplementation to Prevent
Vitamin D Deficiency in Mothers and Their Infants
Defining Vitamin D Insufficiency in School Age Children: A Randomized
Placebo Controlled Trial of Vitamin D3 (Vitamin D RCT)

Safety of Vitamin D in the Elderly
Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Hypertension

Vitamin D Dose-Response Study to Establish Dietary Requirements in
Infants
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Keywords
--------
vitamin D deficiency, D vitamin, vitamin D, vitamin D calcium, vitamin
D3, low vitamin D, rickets, osteomalacia, vitamin D2, deficiency of
vitamin D, cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, nutritional rickets, fat
soluble vitamins, elevated parathyroid hormone, PTH, secondary
hyperparathyroidism, vitamin B2, calcium absorption, phosphorus
absorption, bone mineralization, 25-hydroxyvitamin D,
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, circulating 25(OH)D,
osteoporosis, bone mineral density, cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D,
cutaneous vitamin D production, vitamin D synthesis, melanin, vitamin
D malabsorption, calcium absorption from the small intestine, vitamin
D insufficiency

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
---------------------------------------

Author
Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of
Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Emory University School of
Medicine
Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical
societies: American College of Clinical Endocrinologists, American
College of Endocrinology, Endocrine Society, and Massachusetts Medical
Society
Disclosure: NIH Grant/research funds Other

Coauthor(s)
Natasha B Khazai, MD, Instructor of Medicine, Division of
Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine
Natasha B Khazai, MD is a member of the following medical societies:
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and Endocrine
Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor
Udaya M Kabadi, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of
Iowa College of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor
Romesh Khardori, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and
Molecular Medicine, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine,
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Romesh Khardori, MD is a member of the following medical societies:
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of
Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for
Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society of
Andrology, Endocrine Society, and Illinois State Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor
Mark Cooper, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Head, Diabetes & Metabolism Division,
Baker Heart Research Institute, Professor of Medicine, Monash
University
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor
George T Griffing, MD, Professor of Medicine, St Louis University
School of Medicine
George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies:
American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College
of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician
Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes
Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart
Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society,
International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society
for Clinical Investigation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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