Scurvy in a 5-Year-Old Girl - A Re-emerging Diagnosis

Authors

  • Aida Correia de Azevedo Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0333-5589
  • Ana Sofia Rodrigues Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave
  • Ana Feio Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6185-3267
  • João Faria Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4864-752X
  • Beatriz Andrade Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3278-8117
  • Sara Rolim Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde de Barcelos/Esposende
  • Alexandra Sequeira Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v34.i1.30027

Keywords:

ascorbic acid, behavioral disorder, neurodevelopmental delay, restrictive diet, scurvy, vitamin C deficiency

Abstract

Monotonous  diets may lead to various nutritional deficits, which in turn can result in diseases such as scurvy.

A five-year-old girl presented with a one-month history of anorexia, inability to walk, and bleeding gums. Her daily dietary intake consisted almost exclusively of chocolate milk at every meal. Due to frequent missed appointments with her family doctor and her parents' limited parenting skills, the condition remained undiagnosed for nearly two years. Serum vitamin C levels were undetectable, while vitamin D and iron levels were low. Knee X-rays revealed Trümmerfeld zones, Frankel lines, and an enlarged metaphyseal margin. The diagnosis of scurvy was established, and a multidisciplinary approach was implemented, including iron, vitamin C, and vitamin D supplementation, alongside behavioral intervention. The patient achieved full recovery.

Although scurvy is generally a rare disease, its prevalence has been increasing due to unbalanced and monotonous diets. It can cause a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, and its diagnosis is based on anamnesis, physical examination, and complementary tests. Treatment involves vitamin C supplementation, with an overall excellent prognosis.

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Published

2025-04-07

How to Cite

1.
Aida Correia de Azevedo, Rodrigues AS, Feio A, Faria J, Andrade B, Rolim S, et al. Scurvy in a 5-Year-Old Girl - A Re-emerging Diagnosis . BGMJ [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 7 [cited 2025 Dec. 7];34(1):29-33. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/bgmj/article/view/30027

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Clinical Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Aida Correia de Azevedo

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