Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025

A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
Increase in the frequency of scurvy in children with food selectivity: A case series
Juan Aguirre1, Mariela Buscio1, Analía Solari1
1Hospital de Pediatría S.A.M.I.C. Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Recent studies show a rise in pediatric scurvy cases, linked to eating disorders. This vitamin C deficiency causes varied symptoms, including skin and gum issues, impacting collagen synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Pediatric Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Scurvy, a disease stemming from vitamin C deficiency, is increasingly diagnosed in children with eating disorders.
- Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, a process vital for skin and connective tissue health.
Observation:
- This study examines a cohort of children diagnosed with scurvy in recent years.
- Key manifestations include diverse skin symptoms (petechiae, bruising, hyperkeratosis) and mucosal involvement (gingivitis, bleeding, tooth loss).
Findings:
- The research correlates clinical scurvy presentations with patients' eating behaviors and neurodevelopmental profiles.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, potentially confirmed by plasma vitamin C levels.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of recognizing scurvy in pediatric populations with specific behavioral and developmental conditions.
- Underscores the need for nutritional assessment in children presenting with unexplained skin and mucosal symptoms.
Abstract:
Scurvy is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Although rare, in recent years, the number of scurvy cases in children with eating disorders has increased. Its manifestations are varied because vitamin C is a cofactor in numerous processes, such as collagen synthesis. The typical skin manifestations include petechiae, bruising, and hyperkeratosis. Mucosal involvement manifests as gingivitis with hypertrophy, bleeding, and loss of teeth. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings and may be confirmed by measuring plasma vitamin C levels. The objective of this study was to describe a cohort of patients diagnosed with scurvy in recent years, its clinical manifestations, and findings in relation to their eating behavior and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Frequency-dependent Selection

