Scurvy in a nonalcoholic person in the United States

Scurvy is rarely diagnosed in our society today. The authors describe the case of a 31-year-old man with weakness, gingival pain, and a rash over the lower extremities. He had a history of poor nutritional intake, no alcohol consumption, and a 13 pack-year history of cigarette smoking. Laboratory studies revealed an extremely deficient serum ascorbic acid level. Treatment was begun with oral ascorbic acid tablets and, within 3 days after discharge, all clinical symptoms of scurvy had resolved. Scurvy is an easily treated disease and should be considered when there is an appropriate history and classic clinical findings. Because vitamin C deficiency can be seen in many chronic disease states, it is important to recognize some of the early features and clinical manifestations of such nutritional deficiencies.