Vitamin D::
Chemistry: vitamin D is a sterol it has more than 6 components of them vit D2 and D3 are most potent vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol or 7-dehydrocholesterol which is an isomer of ergosterol Ergosterol on irradiation by ultra violet rays yield calciferol D3 is cholecalciferol which is activated 7-dehydrocholesterol formed in human skin by exposure to sunlight vitamin D is fat soluble and thermostable
Source: The best yield of vit D3 is from ergosterol which is found under the skin in the milk butter and egg yolk in moderate quantities liver and cod liver oil are also the moderate sources of vit D
Functions::
Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium and indirectly that of phosphorus it aids proper teeth and bone formation To sum up Vitamin D produces greater absorption retention and utilisation of calcium as well as phosphorus in the body and plays an important role in the formation of bones and teeth it is an important hormone for the
Rickets in infant
Deficiency::
Vitamin D deficiency gives rise to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults These diseases arise as a result of excessive excretion of calcium and phosphorus in the faeces
1.Rickets develop between 6-18 months of infancy the bones soften and bend under pressure and there is mal deposition of Ca3 (PO4)2 the skull bones show bossing and a gap in the skull which does not calcify till the age of one and half years Delayed and irregular eruption of teeth occurs chest is flat pointed or depressed Pelvis is deformed Legs may bent under pressure giving deformed locomotion
2. Osteomalacia: Generally found in pregnant lactating or multipara mothers with rapidly recurring deliveries this occurs because of the excessive drain of calcium from the mother s body so pregnant mothers must take plenty of milk which contain assimilable calcium
3. Adolescent rickets occurs at pre puberty times when bones are growing fast
Hypervitaminosis::
It develops after excessively large doses of Vitamin D Weight is lost headache vomits etc develop and abnormal calcium deposits occur in the kidney heart etc Child develops uremia and may even die
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