If a child presents with bowed legs and delayed tooth eruption, what process related to calcium absorption is most likely deficient in this case of rickets?

💡 Explanation

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, and its deficiency impairs bone mineralization leading to rickets because it affects the Vitamin D receptor activation. Therefore, a deficiency in this receptor's activation is the most likely cause, rather than pancreatic enzyme secretion, intestinal turnover, or bile acid synthesis directly impacting calcium absorption.

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