Osteomalacia refers to soft bones. This condition prevents bones from mineralizing or hardening, making them weak and more likely to bend and break. Only adults get this disease, while a similar condition in children is called rickets. Osteomalacia is more common in women and often occurs during pregnancy. It is different from osteoporosis; while both can cause bones to break, osteomalacia is due to bones not hardening, whereas osteoporosis is the weakening of bones. If your body lacks certain minerals, your bones can become weak, leading to osteomalacia. Main causes include: lack of vitamin D, difficulty absorbing vitamin D, certain seizure medications, poor kidney acid handling, and rare genetic conditions. Symptoms of osteomalacia include an unstable gait. Doctors may recommend increasing vitamin D intake through diet and supplements. Foods with vitamin D include fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk. You can also get vitamin D from sunlight but be sure to use sunscreen. If your body has trouble absorbing vitamin D, your doctor will treat the underlying cause and recommend higher doses of calcium and vitamin D. For bone deformities caused by osteomalacia, doctors may suggest wearing braces, and in severe cases, surgery might be needed.