Scurvy: forgotten but not gone.
Scurvy is still seen sporadically in the developed world. At a time when subclinical vitamin C deficiency in the general population is being recognized increasingly, the need for clinicians to be aware of this disease remains. We present the case of a 9-year-old boy admitted to hospital with musculoskeletal pain, weakness and changes in the skin and gums. After extensive investigation, he was found to have vitamin C deficiency resulting from a restricted eating pattern. Musculoskeletal complaints are a common mode of presentation of scurvy in children. Failure to appreciate this fact and the risk factors for poor vitamin C intake in the paediatric age group can result in unnecessary and invasive investigations for apparent 'multisystem' disease.
Akikusa
J D
JD
Department of General Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. jonathan.akikusa@sympatico.ca
Garrick
D
D
Nash
M C
MC
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012614:Scurvy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism
D001205:Ascorbic Acid