Which disease is referred to as osteomalacia in children?

The disease referred to as osteomalacia in children is Rickets. Rickets is characterized by the softening and weakening of bones in children, typically due to a severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency, which is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Without adequate vitamin D, the minerals needed for strong bone formation cannot be absorbed from the diet, leading to abnormal bone development and resulting in symptoms such as bone pain and deformities, particularly in the legs and spine.

This condition is specifically differentiated from osteomalacia in adults, which shares similar characteristics but occurs after the bone has fully developed. In addition, the other options do not align with the description provided in the question: Paget's Disease of the Bone primarily affects older adults and leads to the abnormal remodeling of bone, Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, and Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Hence, Rickets is the correct term associated with osteomalacia in the pediatric population, emphasizing its link to nutritional deficits and growth-related bone abnormalities.