What vitamin deficiency is primarily associated with osteomalacia?

Osteomalacia is primarily associated with a deficiency in vitamin D. This vitamin is crucial for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. When there is an inadequate amount of vitamin D, the body's ability to absorb calcium from the diet diminishes, leading to weakened bones and an increase in bone pain and deformity, characteristic of osteomalacia.

In adults, this condition results from the softening of bones due to insufficient mineralization, which occurs because of the lack of vitamin D. This deficiency can stem from inadequate dietary intake, lack of sun exposure, or disorders that affect fat absorption, as vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Without adequate vitamin D, the body cannot maintain proper calcium and phosphate levels to promote normal bone health, leading to the symptoms and complications associated with osteomalacia.

Other vitamins listed, such as vitamin A, C, and E, serve important functions in the body but are not specifically linked to the mineralization of bones in the same way that vitamin D is. While they play roles in various physiological processes, they do not directly influence the development of osteomalacia.