Which lab findings are indicative of vitamin D deficiency rickets?

Vitamin D deficiency rickets is characterized by a specific set of biochemical changes in the body. The correct lab findings indicative of this condition typically include low levels of calcium and phosphate, alongside elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.

When vitamin D is deficient, the body is unable to properly absorb calcium from the diet, leading to hypocalcemia (low calcium levels). In response to low calcium, the parathyroid glands secrete more PTH in an attempt to restore calcium levels. PTH not only acts to increase calcium levels but also affects phosphate metabolism. In cases of vitamin D deficiency, the kidneys tend to excrete more phosphate, resulting in low phosphate levels. This is exacerbated by the effects of increased PTH.

Therefore, the combination of low calcium, low phosphate, and high PTH levels is consistent with vitamin D deficiency rickets, reflecting the biochemical compensatory mechanisms the body employs in response to the deficiency and the imbalances it creates.