Rickets is caused by the deficiency of which vitamin?

MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Rickets is a condition affecting bone development in children, making them soft and weak.
This condition is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D, which is crucial for calcium and phosphorus absorption.
Without adequate Vitamin D, the body cannot properly mineralize the bones, leading to deformities.
The deficiency impairs the function of calcitriol, the active form of Vitamin D, which regulates calcium homeostasis.
Clinical features include bowed legs, delayed growth, and skeletal pain.

Option B: Vitamin A deficiency primarily affects vision and the immune system, not bone mineralization in the way that causes rickets.
Option C: The Vitamin B complex includes several different vitamins, and their deficiencies lead to a wide range of conditions, none of which is rickets. For example, Thiamine (B1) deficiency causes Beriberi, and Niacin (B3) deficiency causes Pellagra.
Option D: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency causes scurvy, a disease characterized by impaired collagen synthesis, leading to issues with connective tissues, such as bleeding gums and poor wound healing.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The role of vitamins in health and the specific diseases caused by their deficiencies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in preventing rickets through patient education, advising parents on adequate sunlight exposure and diets rich in Vitamin D and calcium.
During pediatric assessments, nurses should look for early signs of rickets, such as skeletal deformities (bowed legs, rickety rosary), delayed motor milestones, and bone pain, to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.
What if? If an adult presents with bone pain, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking, the diagnosis is more likely to be osteomalacia rather than rickets. While both are caused by Vitamin D deficiency, osteomalacia refers to the softening of bones in adults whose growth plates have closed.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Rickets'.
This is a direct recall question that tests your knowledge of nutritional deficiencies.
Recall the primary function of the vitamins listed in the options.
Associate Vitamin D with its critical role in calcium absorption and bone health.
Connect the lack of Vitamin D to impaired bone mineralization, which defines rickets in children.
Eliminate the other options by recalling the distinct deficiency diseases they cause (e.g., Vitamin C -> Scurvy, Vitamin A -> Night blindness).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The role of vitamins in health and the specific diseases caused by their deficiencies.
Stem keywords: Rickets, deficiency, vitamin
Lead-in keywords: caused by

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