Causes
Osteomalacia is caused by a lack of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D deficiency can occur because of:
- conditions that interfere with the body's absorption of vitamin D, such as intestinal disorders (including Crohn's disease and celiac disease)
- conditions that prevent the body from producing or activating vitamin D, such as kidney disorders and hypoparathyroidism
- lack of vitamin D in the diet
- not enough exposure to sunshine
- having dark skin, which interferes with the effects of sunlight on vitamin D
- certain medications, including some medications prescribed for epilepsy
In North America, infants diagnosed with rickets are usually dark-skinned babies who have been exclusively breast-fed. Although mother's milk is the ideal food for babies, this source of milk does not provide enough vitamin D to meet the baby's needs. Most breast-fed babies should receive a vitamin D supplement unless they are already getting vitamin D from another source.
There is also a rare form of inherited osteomalacia, called Vitamin D-resistant rickets.