Chengdu, China — A 48-year-old woman who avoided sunlight for most of her life suffered a bone fracture after simply rolling over in bed — a result of severe vitamin D deficiency that weakened her bones.
Doctors at the XinDu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu reported that the woman’s bones had become so brittle from a lack of calcium and vitamin D that her shoulder bone was crushed under the weight of her own body.
Dr. Long Shuang, an emergency department physician, said the patient’s condition stemmed from prolonged sun avoidance. Medical tests revealed extremely low levels of vitamin D, which had led to accelerated bone loss and serious osteoporosis.
The woman reportedly covered every part of her skin when outdoors, wearing long sleeves and gloves, and regularly using sunscreen. Her fear of tanning had caused her to avoid sunlight since childhood, according to the South China Morning Post.
It remains unclear whether her family was aware of the extent of her sun-avoidance habits.
Jiang Xiaobing, Chief Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, issued a public health warning following the incident. He emphasized the importance of safe sun exposure and adequate vitamin D levels for bone health.
Doctors warn that avoiding sunlight completely can have serious consequences, especially when it limits the body’s ability to produce vitamin D, which is crucial for calcium absorption and maintaining bone strength.
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