Med. praxi 2012; 9(8-9): 326-329

Vitamin D deficiency - the main culprit of renal bone disease?

MUDr.Petr Táborský

Dialyzační středisko Fresenius Medical Care, Praha

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many health complications. Natural sources of vitamin D are limited, sun exposure is for many

reasons insufficient and vitamin D supplementation is not adequately performed. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and

is associated with osteoporosis and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D insufficiency does not cause metabolic bone disease, but precipitates

immunity disorders, cell differenciation disturbances and cardiovascular complications. Suboptimal level of vitamin D has been

associated with increased risk of autoimmune and infectious diseases, some cancers, arterial hypertension and heart failure. Effects of

vitamin D deficiency are multiplicated by hyperphosphatemia in renal failure patients. Renal bone disease has features of secondary

hyperparathyroidism. Hypovitaminosis D and hyperphosphatemia are related to high mortality of dialysis patients.

Keywords: vitamin D, metabolic bone disease, autoimmunity, cardiovascular complications, kidney failure

Published: September 25, 2012  Show citation