Vitamin D deficiency causes, signs and symptoms:
As sunlight is one of factors which help to prevent vitamin D deficiency is exposure to sunlight people living in northern countries and/or having dark skin are more than other people prone to have vitamin D deficiency. Also, hiding face and body for religious reasons, not going out because of very young, or old age may also contribute to developing vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, Arab women who cover their bodies with black clothes might acquire vitamin D deficiency.
If vitamin D deficiency lasts for only a few days a year nothing wrong should happen. Yet, if the deficiency is prolonged to a few weeks, or even months osteomalacia, or rickets may develop. Among the most important vitamin D deficiency symptoms are softening of bones and bending of bones, reduced bone strength as well as waddling walk and muscle weakness.
See also: Vitamin D overview, Vitamin D deficiency description, Vitamin D deficiency diagnosis, Vitamin D deficiency treatment, Vitamin D deficiency prevention