(HealthDay student loan calculator News) — Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium and build strong, healthy bones. The vitamin is particularly important for growing children, who need plenty of calcium for good bone health.

Lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, a condition characterized by soft or weak bones, pain or tenderness in the limbs or spine, and bone deformities such as bowlegs. A child with rickets may also have dental problems including abnormal tooth formation and cavities.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says treatment usually involves dietary changes to include more vitamin D-rich foods — such as fish, liver and milk — and increased exposure to sunlight. Braces on the legs or spine may be needed to counter bone deformities.