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Living with Vitamin D-dependent rickets, type 2

An inherited condition in which the body does not respond to vitamin D, causing low calcium, severe soft bones, and often hair loss.

Understanding Vitamin D-dependent rickets, type 2

Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2 (hypocalcemic vitamin D-resistant rickets) is a hereditary condition of how the body responds to vitamin D.

It causes low calcium, severe rickets (soft, weak bones), and in many cases hair loss (alopecia). Signs begin in the newborn period or infancy.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Soft, weak bones (rickets)
  • Bone pain
  • Hair loss (alopecia)
  • High parathyroid hormone
  • Early loss of baby teeth
  • Kidney stones

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists, genetic specialists and hormone specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in VDR are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Could VDR genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
How are calcium levels and bone health monitored?
Which specialists should be on my child's team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesVDR

This condition is caused by changes in the VDR gene. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).

GeneticEndocrine

Also known as: calcitriol receptor defect; end organ unresponsiveness to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; familial hypophosphatemic rickets; hereditary 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin d-resistant rickets with abnormal vitamin d receptor; hereditary vitamin d-resistant rickets; hvdrr

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Vitamin D-dependent rickets, type 2GARD ID 16805 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

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