 |
|
|
|
Osteomalacia |
Back to Library |
Osteomalacia is due to failure of
mineralization of osteoid; 'rickets' is osteomalacia affecting children
In osteomalacia there is normal deposition of bone osteoid by osteoblasts, and
bone architecture is normal. However, there is inadequate mineralization so
that, for example, only the centre of bony trabecula are adequately mineralized,
the periphery being composed of soft unmineralized osteoid.
Osteomalacia is usually the result of abnormalities of vitamin D metabolism
Through its effect on calcium metabolism, an inadequate supply of vitamin D, for
whatever reason, is the most important cause of osteomalacia. Vitamin D
deficiency may be due to:
• Inadequate dietary intake. Formerly the most common cause of osteomalacia in
children, this is now
rare in the Western World, except in people who have extreme diets, e.g. pure
vegans.
• Inadequate body synthesis of vitamin D. As vitamin D is synthesized in the
skin under the influence of UV light, extensive covering of the skin for social
and cultural reasons may be an important contributory factor in osteomalacia.
The above two factors are responsible for the high incidence of osteomalacia in
natives of the Indian subcontinent living in the UK and other European
countries. In Caucasians living in the West, the most important causes are:
• Malabsorption due to intestinal disease, for example after extensive
small-bowel resection, treated and untreated Crohn's disease, and untreated
coeliac disease.
• Renal disease. In chronic renal failure, conversion of vitamin D to its active
metabolite (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) by renal tubular epithelial cells is
impaired, and osteomalacia is one of the important metabolic bone diseases
associated with renal failure.
Rarely, liver disease and some drug therapies may interfere with vitamin D
metabolism and have a role in the development of osteomalacia. |
|
|
Interested in translating health topics to somali language! |
|
|
|
|
We give here simplified and accurate information about the disease
Info@somalidoc.com |
DISCLAIMER: This website is provided for
general information and it's run by medical students for medical students only
and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. We are not responsible
or liable for any diagnosis or action made by a user based on the content of
this website. We are not liable for the contents of any external websites
listed, nor do we endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised
on any of the sites. Always consult your own doctor if you are in any way
concerned about your health |
