For adults, a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to abnormal bone formation; in turn, the bones are weaker than healthy bones. The weak bones increase the risk of broken bones and fractures, which tend to impact the vertebral bones of the spine and neck most of all. If osteomalacia is left untreated, it may result in lower bone density, which can subsequently cause osteoporosis, a bone condition similar to osteomalacia, except that the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue.

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