With children, rickets is the most common manifestation and consequence of vitamin D deficiency, while with adults, the disease is known as osteomalacia. In the absence of vitamin D, the body cannot metabolize or absorb calcium and phosphorus, the minerals with the most important role for skeletal development. New-born babies and infants up to two years of age require constant administration of vitamin D under pediatric observation to insure that they develop correctly.

Vitamin D is also produced and temporarily stored by the body following sun exposure. Insufficient sun exposure, mal-absorption and the action of some drugs represent the most common causes for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is treated with supplements and a diet rich in fatty fish. Only the doctor can determine the right dosage considering the patient's age and the stage of the health condition. Children and senior citizens are the most likely to develop vitamin D deficiency.

Children are prone to vitamin D deficiency because of the accelerated growth rate, dental eruption and skeletal development. Mothers should be careful to take their kids to periodical medical checkups and make sure that they have a balanced nutrition and healthy open air activities. As for the elderly, the body's capacity to produce and store vitamin D declines with advancing age. This is why an average older person requires a higher diet ary intake of vitamin D. And here we also have half an explanation for the incidence rate of osteoporosis with middle-aged and elderly women.

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