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A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
Case report: A Boy with an inability to walk; do not forget about scurvy
Emira Mansor Noor Emilia1, Abdul Hadi Said2
1MBBCh, Department of Family Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar InderaMahkota, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Scurvy, a condition caused by vitamin C deficiency, is characterized by a syndrome of multisystem disorder due to defective collagen production and antioxidative function. This condition is infrequent in this modern era; thus, it is often not within the list of differential diagnoses. The broad clinical picture is generally overlooked as other systemic illnesses, resulting in an extensive investigation that delays the diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of an 8-year-old boy with underlying autism spectrum disorder who presented with lower limb pain and other constitutional symptoms. Examination revealed multiple hyperpigmented scars over the upper and lower limbs and gingival hyperpigmentation. With history of picky eating habits and clinical symptoms supported by radiographic findings, scurvy was suspected and subsequently confirmed based on a low level of ascorbic acid. With vitamin C supplementation and proper nutritional support, the patient recovered well.
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