Vitamin D-dependent rickets is a disorder of bone development that leads to softening and weakening of the bones (rickets). There are several forms of the condition that are distinguished primarily by their genetic causes: type 1A (VDDR1A), type 1B (VDDR1B), and type 2A (VDDR2A). There is also evidence of a very rare form of the condition, called type 2B (VDDR2B), although not much is known about this form.

The signs and symptoms of vitamin D-dependent rickets begin within months after birth, and most are the same for all types of the condition. The weak bones often cause bone pain and delayed growth and have a tendency to fracture. When affected children begin to walk, they may develop abnormally curved (bowed) legs because the bones are too weak to bear weight. Impaired bone development also results in widening of the areas near the ends of bones where new bone forms (metaphyses), especially in the knees, wrists, and ribs. Some people with vitamin D-dependent rickets have dental abnormalities such as thin tooth enamel and frequent cavities. Poor muscle tone (hypotonia) and muscle weakness are also common in this condition, and some affected individuals develop seizures.

In vitamin D-dependent rickets, there is an imbalance of certain substances in the blood. An early sign in all types of the condition is low levels of the mineral calcium (hypocalcemia), which is essential for the normal formation of bones and teeth. Affected individuals also develop high levels of a hormone involved in regulating calcium levels called parathyroid hormone (PTH), which leads to a condition called secondary hyperparathyroidism. Low levels of a mineral called phosphate (hypophosphatemia) also occur in affected individuals. Vitamin D-dependent rickets types 1 and 2 can be grouped by blood levels of a hormone called calcitriol, which is the active form of vitamin D; individuals with VDDR1A and VDDR1B have abnormally low levels of calcitriol and individuals with VDDR2A and VDDR2B have abnormally high levels.

Hair loss (alopecia) can occur in VDDR2A, although not everyone with this form of the condition has alopecia. Affected individuals can have sparse or patchy hair or no hair at all on their heads. Some affected individuals are missing body hair as well.

Rickets affects an estimated 1 in 200,000 children. The condition is most often caused by a lack of vitamin D in the diet or insufficient sun exposure rather than genetic mutations. Genetic forms of rickets, including vitamin D-dependent rickets, are much less common. The prevalence of the different types of vitamin D-dependent rickets is unknown. VDDR1A is more common in the French Canadian population than in other populations.

Each type of vitamin D-dependent rickets has a different genetic cause: VDDR1A is caused by CYP27B1 gene mutations, VDDR1B is caused by CYP2R1 gene mutations, and VDDR2A is caused by VDR gene mutations. The genetic cause of VDDR2B is unknown. These genes are involved in the body's response to vitamin D, an important vitamin that can be acquired from foods in the diet or made by the body with the help of sunlight exposure. Vitamin D helps maintain the proper balance of several minerals in the body, including calcium and phosphate. These minerals are needed for many functions, including the breakdown of substances (metabolic processes), signaling between cells, and the deposition of minerals in developing bones (bone mineralization). One of vitamin D's major roles is to control the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestines into the bloodstream.

The CYP2R1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called 25-hydroxylase, and the CYP27B1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called 1-alpha-hydroxylase (1α-hydroxylase). These enzymes carry out the reactions that convert vitamin D to its active form, calcitriol. Once converted, calcitriol attaches (binds) to a protein called vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is produced from the VDR gene. The resulting calcitriol-VDR complex then binds to particular regions of DNA and regulates the activity of vitamin D-responsive genes. By turning these genes on or off, the calcitriol-VDR complex helps control the absorption of calcium and phosphate and other processes that regulate calcium levels in the body. The VDR protein is also involved in hair growth through a process that does not require calcitriol binding.

Mutations in any of these genes prevent the body from responding to vitamin D. CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 gene mutations reduce or eliminate the activity of the respective enzyme, which means vitamin D is not converted to its active form. The absence of calcitriol means vitamin D-responsive genes are not turned on (activated). VDR gene mutations alter the vitamin D receptor, often preventing the receptor from interacting with calcitriol or with DNA. As a result VDR cannot regulate gene activity, even with normal amounts of calcitriol in the body.

Without activation of vitamin D-responsive genes, absorption of calcium and phosphate falls, leading to hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia. The lack of calcium and phosphate slows bone mineralization, which leads to soft, weak bones and other features of vitamin D-dependent rickets. Low levels of calcium stimulate production of PTH, resulting in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Hypocalcemia can also cause muscle weakness and seizures in individuals with vitamin D-dependent rickets. Certain abnormalities in the VDR protein also impair hair growth, causing alopecia in some people with VDDR2A.

Normal Function

The CYP27B1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called 1-alpha-hydroxylase (1α-hydroxylase). This enzyme carries out the second of two reactions to convert vitamin D to its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, also known as calcitriol. Vitamin D can be acquired from foods in the diet or can be made in the body with the help of sunlight exposure. When active, this vitamin is involved in maintaining the proper balance of several minerals in the body, including calcium and phosphate, which are essential for the normal formation of bones and teeth. One of vitamin D's major roles is to control the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestines into the bloodstream. Vitamin D is also involved in several processes unrelated to bone and tooth formation.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Vitamin D-dependent rickets

At least 70 mutations in the CYP27B1 gene have been found to cause vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR1A), also known as vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase deficiency. This disorder of bone development is characterized by low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) and phosphate (hypophosphatemia) in the blood, which lead to soft, weak bones that are prone to fracture. A common feature of this condition is abnormally curved (bowed) legs.

The CYP27B1 gene mutations that cause this condition reduce or eliminate the function of 1α-hydroxylase. As a result, vitamin D does not get converted to its active form and cannot control mineral absorption. The resulting reduction in calcium and phosphate absorption from the intestines into the blood means there is less of these minerals to be deposited in developing bones (bone mineralization), which leads to soft, weak bones and other features of VDDR1A. Hypocalcemia also causes muscle weakness and seizures in some affected individuals.

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Other Names for This Gene

• 1alpha(OH)ase
• 25 hydroxyvitamin D3-1-alpha hydroxylase
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha hydroxylase, mitochondrial
• 25-OHD-1 alpha-hydroxylase
• CYP1alpha
• CYP27B
• cytochrome p450 27B1
• cytochrome P450 subfamily XXVIIB polypeptide 1
• cytochrome P450, family 27, subfamily B, polypeptide 1
• cytochrome P450C1 alpha
• cytochrome P450VD1-alpha
• P450c1
• VD3 1A hydroxylase

Genomic Location

Normal Function

The CYP2R1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called 25-hydroxylase. This enzyme carries out the first of two reactions to convert vitamin D to its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, also known as calcitriol. Vitamin D can be acquired from foods in the diet or can be made in the body with the help of sunlight exposure. When active, this vitamin is involved in maintaining the proper balance of several minerals in the body, including calcium and phosphate, which are essential for the normal formation of bones and teeth. One of vitamin D's major roles is to control the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestines into the bloodstream. Vitamin D is also involved in several processes unrelated to bone and tooth formation.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Vitamin D-dependent rickets

At least four mutations in the CYP2R1 gene have been found to cause vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1B (VDDR1B). This disorder of bone development is characterized by low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) and phosphate (hypophosphatemia) in the blood, which lead to soft, weak bones that are prone to fracture. A common feature of this condition is abnormally curved (bowed) legs.

The CYP2R1 gene mutations that cause this condition severely reduce or eliminate the function of 25-hydroxylase. As a result, vitamin D does not get converted to its active form and cannot control mineral absorption. The resulting reduction in calcium and phosphate absorption from the intestines means there is less of these minerals to be deposited in developing bones (bone mineralization), which leads to soft, weak bones and other features of VDDR1B. Hypocalcemia also causes muscle weakness in some affected individuals.

Other Names for This Gene

• cytochrome P450 2R1
• cytochrome P450, family 2, R1
• cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily R, polypeptide 1
• vitamin D 25-hydroxylase

Genomic Location

Normal Function

The VDR gene provides instructions for making a protein called vitamin D receptor (VDR), which allows the body to respond to vitamin D. This vitamin can be acquired from foods in the diet or made in the body with help from sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is involved in maintaining the proper balance of several minerals in the body, including calcium and phosphate, which are essential for the normal formation of bones and teeth. One of vitamin D's major roles is to control the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestines into the bloodstream. Vitamin D is also involved in several processes unrelated to bone and tooth formation.

The VDR protein attaches (binds) to the active form of vitamin D, known as calcitriol. This interaction allows VDR to partner with another protein called retinoid X receptor (RXR). The resulting complex then binds to particular regions of DNA, known as vitamin D response elements, and regulates the activity of vitamin D-responsive genes. By turning these genes on or off, the complex helps control calcium and phosphate absorption and other processes.

Although the mechanism is not completely understood, the VDR protein is also involved in hair growth. Studies suggest that this process does not require calcitriol binding.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Vitamin D-dependent rickets

Mutations in the VDR gene cause vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2A (VDDR2A), also known as hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR). This disorder of bone development is characterized by low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) and phosphate (hypophosphatemia) in the blood, which lead to soft, weak bones (rickets) that are prone to fracture. A common feature of this condition is abnormally curved (bowed) legs.

The VDR gene mutations that cause this condition prevent the VDR protein from functioning properly. Some changes in the VDR gene lead to an abnormally short version of the VDR protein. Others result in the production of an abnormal receptor that cannot bind to calcitriol, to RXR, or to DNA. Although there is plenty of calcitriol in the body, the altered VDR protein cannot stimulate gene activity important for mineral absorption. The lack of calcium and phosphate absorption in the intestines slows deposition of these minerals into developing bone (bone mineralization), which leads to soft, weak bones and other features of VDDR2A. Hypocalcemia also causes muscle weakness and seizures in some affected individuals. Most VDR gene mutations impair hair growth, leading to hair loss (alopecia); however, mutations that block VDR's ability to interact with calcitriol do not cause alopecia, indicating that calcitriol is not necessary for the receptor's role in hair development.

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Other Names for This Gene

• 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor
• NR1I1
• nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 1
• vitamin D (1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3) receptor
• vitamin D3 receptor

Genomic Location

Vitamin D-dependent rickets is almost always inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the respective gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

In at least one family with VDDR1B, individuals with a mutation in one copy of the CYP2R1 gene had mild symptoms of vitamin D-dependent rickets, and those with a mutation in both copies had the typical signs and symptoms of the condition. This inheritance pattern is referred to as incomplete autosomal dominance.

In very rare cases, VDDR2A may be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Autosomal dominant inheritance means one copy of the altered VDR gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In these cases, an affected person has one parent with the condition.