The disease rickets develops in children due to the deficiency of :

Rickets is a condition characterized by the softening and weakening of bones in children, primarily caused by a prolonged deficiency of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for the body to effectively absorb calcium and phosphorus from the diet, which are critical for bone mineralization and growth [3]. Without sufficient Vitamin D, intestinal calcium absorption drops significantly, leading to skeletal deformities and growth failure [3]. Environmental factors like heavy smog can also contribute to rickets by decreasing natural Vitamin D production from ultraviolet radiation. While other deficiencies cause distinct issues—such as Vitamin C leading to scurvy, Vitamin A causing night blindness, and Vitamin B deficiencies resulting in conditions like beriberi or anemia [1]—rickets is specifically linked to the Vitamin D-calcium axis [2].

Sources

1. [3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9710417/
2. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > The effects of smog > p. 65
3. [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323555128001447