International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

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VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2009 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Scurvy Extinct? Think Again!

Vela D Desai, Shweta Hegde, Durgesh N Bailoor, Neelkant Patil

Keywords : Diet, scurvy, vitamin C deficiency, gingival hemorrhage, gingival enlargement

Citation Information : D Desai V, Hegde S, N Bailoor D, Patil N. Scurvy Extinct? Think Again!. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2009; 2 (3):39-42.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1017

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-12-2016

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2009; The Author(s).


Abstract

Scurvy is still seen sporadically in the developed world. Scurvy, a dietary disease due to the deficient intake of vitamin C, is uncommon in the pediatric population. Scurvy occurs as a result of decreased vitamin C consumption or absorption. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy visiting our department with bleeding gums, musculoskeletal pain, and weakness. Four days after starting oral vitamin C supplementation, there was significant improvement in the patient's gingival appearance and general health. The clinical presentation and laboratory investigation (Hemoglobin %, total blood picture), together with the dramatic therapeutic response to ascorbic acid administration, confirmed the diagnosis of scurvy. Scurvy can be missed unless oral and general physicians maintain a high index of suspicion. Therefore it is time to wonder if scurvy is extinct yet.


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