Deficiency in Vitamin D (Calciferol) can lead to rickets on children or osteomalacia on adults. Deformity of, and problems with, bones, caused by the lack of Vitamin D (Calciferol) in the diet or lack of sun exposure. Vitamin D is found in foods such as sardines, herring, cod liver oil, butter, milk and margarine and is produced in the skin when it is expose to ultraviolet in sunlight.

Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium from the diet.

Signs and Symptoms in children (Rickets)

• Bone deformity or problems, including the skull, joints suck as the ankle and wrist, and the cartilage in the chest.
• Misshapen bones in the leg, making the individual bowlegged.
• May be curvature of the spine and back pain
• Hunched or stooped posture

Signs and Symptoms in adults (osteomalacia)

• Dull, aching pain usually felt in bones, with associated tenderness especially in back and leg
• Muscle weakness and pain
• Bones may break or fracture more easily
• May be shortening in stature due to the spine being compressed (vertebral fracture)
• osteoporosis with fractures

Sufficient Vitamin D in the diet will prevent this condition from developing. It is possible to take too much Vitamin D, probably through supplements, and this will cause health problems.