Author:
Gallizzi Romina,Valenzise Mariella,Passanisi Stefano,Pajno Giovanni Battista,De Luca Filippo,Zirilli Giuseppina
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Since ancient times, scurvy has been considered one of the most fearsome nutritional deficiency diseases. In modern developed countries, this condition has become very rare and is only occasionally encountered, especially in the pediatric population. Underlying medical conditions, such as neuropsychiatric disorders, anorexia nervosa, celiac disease, Crohn disease, hemodialysis, and severe allergies to food products may enhance the risk of developing scurvy.
Case presentation
We report the case of an otherwise healthy 3-year-old white boy who developed scurvy due to a selective restrictive diet derived from his refusal to try new food. He presented to our clinic with asthenia and refusal to walk. During hospitalization he developed severe anemia and hematochezia. A diagnosis of scurvy was assessed on the basis of nutritional history, clinical features, radiographic findings, and laboratory findings. Supplementation of ascorbic acid enabled a prompt resolution of symptoms.
Conclusions
Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency. Cutaneous bleeding, mucosal bleeding, and anemia represent typical manifestations of the disease. These symptoms are directly connected to ascorbic acid involvement in collagen biosynthesis. Some radiographic findings can be useful for the diagnosis. Treatment aims to normalize serum levels of vitamin C in order to counteract the deprivation symptoms. The present case report demonstrates that scurvy may sporadically occur in pediatric patients, even in individuals with no predisposing medical conditions and/or potential risk factors.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Cited by
13 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
1. Scurvy with Musculoskeletal Pain in Indonesian Pediatric Patient: A Case Report;Jurnal Kedokteran Diponegoro (Diponegoro Medical Journal);2024-08-31
2. Scurvy and vitamin C deficiency in an Australian tertiary children's hospital;Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health;2024-06-21
3. Scurvy in a six-month-old infant;IP International Journal of Medical Paediatrics and Oncology;2023-11-15
4. Scurvy: old disease, new lessons;Paediatrics and International Child Health;2023-10-02
5. A Prehispanic infant from Tenerife with diffuse microporotic lesions;Anthropologischer Anzeiger;2023-03-16