Rickets is caused by the deficiency of which of the following vitamins?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

Rickets is a disease of the growing bone in children, characterized by inadequate mineralization of the bone matrix (osteoid).
This condition is principally caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D, which is essential for the gastrointestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate.
Without sufficient Vitamin D, calcium and phosphate levels are inadequate for proper bone mineralization, leading to soft, pliable bones and skeletal deformities.
Clinical features of rickets include bowed legs, knock-knees, widening of the wrists and ankles, and rachitic rosary (beading of the ribs).

Option A: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Its deficiency does not cause rickets.
Option B: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency causes scurvy, not rickets. Scurvy affects collagen synthesis.
Option D: Vitamin B refers to a complex of several different water-soluble vitamins, none of which directly cause rickets.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vitamin Deficiency and Associated Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in identifying children at risk for rickets, such as those with limited sun exposure, restrictive diets, or malabsorption syndromes.
Patient education is critical. Nurses should educate parents about the importance of Vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day for infants), adequate sun exposure, and dietary sources like fortified milk and fatty fish.
During physical assessments, nurses should look for signs of rickets like craniotabes (soft skull bones), rachitic rosary, and widened wrists/ankles, especially in high-risk infants and children.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'Rickets'.
Recall the fundamental cause of rickets. This is a direct factual recall question.
Systematically evaluate each option. Think about the primary deficiency disease associated with each vitamin.
Option A (Vitamin E): Associate with antioxidant functions and hemolysis.
Option B (Vitamin C): Associate with collagen and scurvy.
Option C (Vitamin D): Associate with calcium absorption and bone health.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QsoKCJJ4KOOJA7tHWBKplq

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-239 of 478) p. 126-128

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 516-518

E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 1 (pp 26-420 of 840) p. 149-151

Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.