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A good growth in a child with scurvy
Diletta Valentini1, Domenico Barbuti, Annalisa Grandin
1Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy. diletta.valentini@opbg.net
BMJ Case Reports
|June 16, 2012
Summary
Infantile scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency, can occur in infants with restrictive diets. Prompt diagnosis and vitamin C supplementation lead to rapid recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Infantile scurvy is a preventable nutritional disorder.
- Restrictive diets in infants can lead to micronutrient deficiencies.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential for collagen synthesis and antioxidant function.
Observation:
- A 13-month-old boy presented with pain on movement, bruising, and swelling of lower limbs.
- Laboratory tests revealed anemia.
- Skeletal X-rays showed characteristic changes in provisional calcification zones.
Findings:
- The infant's diet consisted solely of boiled goat milk, homogenized meat, fruits, and vegetables.
- Clinical symptoms, laboratory, and imaging findings were consistent with scurvy.
- Rapid improvement was observed within 48 hours of initiating oral vitamin C supplementation.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of a balanced diet in preventing infantile scurvy.
- Emphasizes vitamin C's critical role in infant health.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of vitamin C supplementation in treating scurvy.
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