Scurvy in Children: A Case Report

Abstract

Scurvy is all the symptoms associated with a diet deficient in ascorbic acid or vitamin C, found in fresh fruit and vegetables. Scurvy is a pathology resulting from a deep and prolonged vitamin C deficiency, which can manifest itself as a bleeding syndrome, wound healing disorders, rheumatic signs, or gum damage. If left untreated (vitamin C supplementation), the disease can be fatal. This water-soluble vitamin is neither synthesized nor stored in the body. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of this pathology due to unbalanced nutrition. Clinical presentations are deceptive and variable, with orthopedic abnormalities and a diffuse hemorrhagic syndrome secondary to a defect in collagen fiber synthesis in children. The diagnosis of scurvy is confirmed by measuring ascorbemia, which is less than 2 mg/L (5-15 mg/L or 17-94 mmol/L), and treatment is based on vitamin C supplementation at 100 to 300 mg/day until complete recovery. We report the case of a 7-year-old patient with an autistic spectrum disorder associated with epilepsy, who presented with scurvy revealed by bone involvement consisting of bone pain, a bleeding syndrome and gingival hypertrophy in context of altered general condition. The diagnosis was confirmed by a collapsed ascorbic acid level (<3 mmol/l) and progressed favorably on vitamin supplementation.