Scurvy diagnosed in a pediatric liver transplant patient awaiting combined kidney and liver retransplantation.
First described in the 1500 s, scurvy is infrequently seen in industrialized countries today, although vulnerable patient groups remain. A 15-yr-old girl underwent liver transplantation at age 26 months for a primary diagnosis of biliary hypoplasia, and subsequently developed late allograft failure and progressive renal insufficiency culminating in listing for combined liver retransplantation and kidney transplantation at age 13 yr. She required regular hemodialysis treatment for 12 months prior to deceased donor organ availability, with a complicated clinical course including recurrent septic episodes and severe cachexia. Ten months after initiation of hemodialysis, she presented with severe bone pain, purpura, ecchymoses, gingival hyperplasia, mucosal bleeding, and subconjunctival hemorrhages. Serial serum ascorbic acid levels were found to be extremely low (<10 micromol/L) despite routine supplementation both in her dialysate and via regular oral supplementation. Histopathology from skin biopsy revealed purpura, hyper- and parakeratosis, and follicular plugging. She had ECG and 2D echocardiogram disturbances, as well as osteopenia and sclerosis of the extremities on radiological evaluations. Therapy with high-dose ascorbic acid (1 g/day orally) led to complete resolution of skin lesions. This case highlights the importance of awareness and recognition of this historic diagnosis, and particularly in children with end-stage organ disease with severely compromised nutrition.
Samonte
Victoria A
VA
Pediatric Academic Multi Organ Transplant (PAMOT) Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Sherman
Philip M
PM
Taylor
Glenn P
GP
Carricato
Megan N
MN
Fecteau
Annie
A
Ling
Simon C
SC
Ng
Vicky L
VL
D000293:Adolescent; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000150:complications; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012614:Scurvy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement
D000975:Antioxidants; D001205:Ascorbic Acid