[Haemorrhages due to vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy in the 21st century].
A 68-year-old female with an extensive history of unexplained problems presented at the Department of Internal Medicine for an analysis of painful cutaneous abnormalities of the lower legs. A systemic cause could not be found. Later on the general practitioner noted haematoma and petechiae and subsequently a hypovitaminosis C. The patient received active vitamin C supplement for this. The cutaneous abnormalities on the legs had significantly improved after 3 weeks. This patient was found to have symptomatic hypovitaminosis C, also known as scurvy, as a complication of an psychiatric disorder. Although scurvy might appear to be a disease of the past that rarely occurs nowadays, it should nevertheless be given due consideration. This requires a good history taking.
Michiels
Maykel
M
Orbis Medisch Centrum, Afd. Interne geneeskunde, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands.
Mellema
Marieke
M
Peters
Frank P J
FP
D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012614:Scurvy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins; D001205:Ascorbic Acid