title: Simulated bleeding--a forgotten disease in a land of plenty.
abstract: The human body is unable to synthesise Vitamin C and a diet deficient in Vitamin C leads to scurvy. Scurvy may mimic other medical conditions, like bleeding diasthesis or deep vein thrombosis, leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment, thus prolonging sufferings of patients. Often, scurvy could have been diagnosed if it is thought of and features of scurvy carefully looked for. Scurvy is easily treated with high dose of oral vitamin C. Recurrences may occur. Education of care providers cannot be overemphasised. We report three local cases of scurvy to highlight the existence of the disease in our modern society.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Alexandra Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rajasoorya
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chew
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006472:Oral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012614:Scurvy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid