Osteomalacia is primarily associated with deficiency in which vitamin in adults?

Osteomalacia is primarily associated with a deficiency in Vitamin D, which is essential for proper calcium and phosphate metabolism in the body. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in facilitating the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract and maintaining adequate serum calcium levels, which are vital for healthy bone mineralization.

When there is a deficiency of Vitamin D, the body struggles to absorb calcium effectively, leading to weakened bones due to inadequate mineralization, resulting in the condition known as osteomalacia. This condition is characterized by softening of the bones, increased risk of fractures, and bone pain.

The other vitamins listed do not have a direct role in the specific mineralization process associated with osteomalacia. While Vitamin A is important for overall bone health, it does not directly contribute to the mineralization process as Vitamin D does. Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of proteins involved in bone metabolism, but a deficiency in Vitamin K primarily affects blood coagulation rather than directly causing osteomalacia. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, also does not play a significant role in bone mineralization. Therefore, the correct association of osteomalacia with Vitamin D reflects its critical role in bone health and mineralization.