[Scurvy in intensive care despite vitamin supplementation].
BACKGROUND
Scurvy can occur in hospitalized patients despite vitamin supplementation.


METHODS
A 63 Year-old patient who had spent several weeks in intensive care developed an unexplained anemia and ecchymoses. Despite daily administration of 130 mg/day of vitamin C since his admission, his ascorbic acid blood levels had collapsed. Administration of 1g/day relieved the symptoms within four weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Whether a deficiency had existed prior to admission or not, scurvy developed during the week of intensive care despite parenteral nutrition supplying a daily dose of 130 mg of vitamin C. Such deficiencies decompensated in surgical situations remain a reality in developed countries.


CONCLUSIONS
In certain pathological contexts and in all the growing number of cases in elderly patients and many surgical indications, the need for vitamin C supplementation has to be defined. The needs at that particular time must be taken into account and the prior nutritional status.
Perret
J-L
JL
Fédération de médecine, HIA Legoust, Metz-Armee. Jlucperret@infonie.fr
Lagauche
D
D
Favier
J-C
JC
Rey
P
P
Bigois
L
L
Adam
F
F
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012307:Risk Factors; D012614:Scurvy / Q000209:etiology*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013997:Time Factors
D001205:Ascorbic Acid