Vitamin C deficiency in a picky eater child

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) is rare in developed countries but can occur.
• It is often associated with special needs children, but can affect typically developing children.

Observation:

• A nine-year-old boy with severe picky eating habits developed scurvy over several years.
• He presented with limping and knee pain, initially undiagnosed.
• His condition worsened to the point of being unable to walk.

Findings:

• Picky eating in children can lead to nutritional deficiencies like scurvy.
• Delayed diagnosis of scurvy can result in significant mobility impairment.

Implications:

• Recognizing scurvy is crucial in children presenting with limping and extreme picky eating.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are vital for preventing severe complications in pediatric scurvy.