deficiency disease Disease associated with characteristic and identifiable symptoms, signs, or pathological findings, due to insufficient intake, defective absorption or utilization, or excessive metabolism of one or more nutrients. See also anaemia; beriberi; pellagra; protein‐energy malnutrition; scurvy.

deficiency disease Any disease caused by an inadequate intake of an essential nutrient in the diet, primarily vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Examples are scurvy (lack of vitamin C), rickets (lack of vitamin D), and iron-deficiency anaemia. See also mineral deficiency.

deficiency disease (di-fish-ĕn-si) n. any disease caused by the lack of an essential nutrient in the diet. Such nutrients include vitamins, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids.