avitaminosis

noun

Meaning

A medical condition caused by a prolonged deficiency of one or more essential vitamins in the diet.

Examples

  • Severe avitaminosis can lead to permanent neurological damage if left untreated for too long.
  • The public health campaign aimed to reduce rates of avitaminosis in impoverished regions through fortified food supplies.

Synonyms: deficiency, malnutrition, hypovitaminosis