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An apple a day keeps the doctor away: pediatric scurvy case report and mini review

Talia Mia Bitonti1, Albert Tu2

  • 1The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Child'S Nervous System : Chns : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
|May 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency, is re-emerging in children with developmental delays. Consider scurvy in pediatric patients with unexplained hemorrhages and poor nutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Scurvy, a condition resulting from ascorbic acid (vitamin C) deficiency, is infrequently diagnosed, particularly in North America.
  • Recent observations suggest a potential resurgence of scurvy, especially among pediatric populations experiencing developmental delays.

Observation:

  • A case study involving a 5-year-old non-verbal boy with no prior health issues presented with spontaneous epidural hemorrhages.
  • The child underwent neurosurgical intervention and recovered to his neurological baseline after a 17-day hospital stay.

Findings:

  • The presentation of multiple acute and subacute epidural hemorrhages in a child with developmental delays prompted consideration of nutritional deficiencies.
  • Ascorbic acid deficiency (scurvy) was identified as a potential underlying cause for the spontaneous hemorrhages.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of including scurvy in the differential diagnosis for children with developmental delays and unexplained hemorrhages.
  • Increased awareness and diagnostic consideration of scurvy are crucial for timely intervention in at-risk pediatric populations.

Keywords:
Ascorbic acidCase reportPediatricsVitamin C

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