title: Scurvy hidden behind neuropsychiatric symptoms.
abstract: Approaching an uncommon disease may result in diagnostic delay even in patients with typical clinical features. In this respect, diseases related to nutritional deficiencies may represent a diagnostic challenge. We describe a 2.5-year-old child with typical features of scurvy, who was referred for autistic-like behavior and severe muscle weakness and pain in lower limbs. Extensive investigations for non-nutrition-related disorders were first performed, including a muscle biopsy showing a selective type II fibers hypotrophy. Scurvy was eventually considered, after recalling the child's peculiar dietary habits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, National Neurological Institute C. Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estienne
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bugiani
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bizzi
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Granata
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D012614:Scurvy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed