Rickets is disease resulting from a vitamin D shortage in
children. It causes bones to soften and weaken. Copyright ©
Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Rickets results when there is a
vitamin D or calcium shortage in a child's body. This may occur
when: - The supply of vitamin D from diet or sun exposure is too
low. - The way the body processes vitamin D is not typical. -
Tissue does not respond to the action of vitamin D. is absorbed
in the body. It also controls levels of calcium and phosphate in
bone. Vitamin D is absorbed in the intestines from food. Vitamin
D is also produced by the skin during exposure to sunlight. Most
often, rickets is caused by a shortage of vitamin D. This can
result from: Not enough vitamin D in the diet. In children, this
may be related to: - Not drinking enough vitamin D-fortified
milk - Not giving enough vitamin D supplements to children being
breastfed or to children who are lactose intolerant - Lack of
exposure to sunlight Less often, rickets can be caused by other
disorders that af