Rickets is defective mineralization or calcification of bones before
epiphyseal closure in immature mammals due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of
vitamin D,
phosphorus or
calcium, potentially leading to fractures and deformity. Rickets is among the most frequent
childhood diseases in many developing countries. The predominant cause is a
vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate
calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets (cases of severe diarrhea and vomiting may be the cause of the deficiency). Although it can occur in adults, the majority of cases occur in children suffering from severe
malnutrition, usually resulting from
famine or
starvation during the early stages of childhood.