Which vitamin deficiency causes rickets in children, characterized by soft and weakened bones?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in growing children, a metabolic bone disease marked by defective bone mineralization leading to skeletal deformities and weakened bones. Deficiencies in other nutrients like Vitamin C lead to scurvy, whereas Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness and xerophthalmia. Vitamin D acts as a prohormone that regulates calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in the human body. Sunlight exposure triggers synthesis of vitamin D in human skin.