Which of the following is due to deficiency of Vitamin D in young children?

IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg Entrance-2017

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg Entrance-2017

Explanation

Rickets is the specific disease caused by Vitamin D deficiency in children, whose bones are still actively growing.
Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for the proper mineralization and hardening of bone tissue.
In children with rickets, the lack of mineralization at the growth plates leads to soft, pliable bones and characteristic skeletal deformities like bowed legs and a 'rachitic rosary' (beading of the ribs).

Option A: Keratomalacia is an eye disorder, specifically the softening of the cornea, caused by a severe deficiency of Vitamin A, not Vitamin D.
Option B: Xerophthalmia refers to a spectrum of eye conditions, including night blindness and dry eyes, caused by Vitamin A deficiency.
Option C: Osteomalacia is the adult counterpart to rickets. It is also caused by Vitamin D deficiency but occurs after the bone growth plates have closed, leading to softening of existing bone rather than the growth plate deformities seen in children.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nutritional Deficiency Disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in identifying at-risk children and educating families about prevention through adequate sunlight exposure, diet, and supplementation.
Early recognition of signs like delayed motor milestones, bone pain, or skeletal deformities is crucial for preventing long-term complications.
What if the patient was an elderly, homebound adult with poor dietary intake? In that case, the primary concern for Vitamin D deficiency would be Osteomalacia and an increased risk of fractures, not Rickets.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key components of the question: the nutrient (Vitamin D) and the population (young children).
Recall the diseases associated with Vitamin D deficiency. You should remember two main ones: Rickets and Osteomalacia.
Differentiate between these two based on the patient's age. Rickets affects growing bones in children, while Osteomalacia affects mature bones in adults.
Evaluate the other options. Keratomalacia and Xerophthalmia are both related to Vitamin A deficiency, so they can be eliminated.
Select the option that correctly links Vitamin D deficiency to the specified age group, which is Rickets for young children.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nutritional Deficiency Disorders
Stem keywords: deficiency, Vitamin D, young children
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Clinical cues: The age group 'young children' is a critical cue, as Vitamin D deficiency manifests differently in children versus adults.

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