Which one of the following is due to deficiency of Vitamin 'D'?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Kolkata-2015

Explanation

Rickets is a metabolic bone disease that occurs in growing children.
It is most commonly caused by a nutritional deficiency of Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium and phosphate absorption.
Without adequate Vitamin D, bones fail to mineralize properly, becoming soft and leading to deformities like bowed legs and wrist widening.
In adults, Vitamin D deficiency causes a similar condition called osteomalacia.

Option A: Night blindness (nyctalopia) is a classic symptom of Vitamin A deficiency, not Vitamin D deficiency.
Option B: Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of Niacin (Vitamin B3).
Option D: Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition caused by inadequate protein intake, not a vitamin deficiency.

Visual 1: Diagram - A diagram showing the classic signs of rickets in a child, such as bowed legs, rachitic rosary, and frontal bossing. This helps in visualizing the physical manifestations of the disease.
Visual 2: Chart - A summary chart listing major vitamins (A, B3, D) and protein, their deficiency diseases, and key symptoms. This provides a quick reference for comparison.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vitamin Deficiency 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, dark skin, or exclusive breastfeeding without supplementation.
Patient education is a critical nursing intervention. This includes advising caregivers on the importance of adequate sunlight exposure, dietary sources of Vitamin D (fortified milk, fish, egg yolks), and adherence to supplementation schedules.
What if the patient was an adult? In adults, severe Vitamin D deficiency does not cause rickets (as growth plates are closed) but leads to osteomalacia, characterized by bone pain, muscle weakness, and increased fracture risk.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the result of a specific nutrient deficiency (Vitamin D).
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about major vitamin deficiencies.
Systematically evaluate each option:
Recall the cause of Night Blindness (Vitamin A deficiency). Eliminate this option.
Recall the cause of Pellagra (Niacin/B3 deficiency). Eliminate this option.
Recall the cause of Rickets (Vitamin D deficiency). This is a strong candidate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Kolkata-2015

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