A Narrative Review on Pediatric Scurvy: The Last Twenty Years.
Nutrients
; 14(3)2022 Feb 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35277043
ABSTRACT
Scurvy is a well-known clinical condition caused by vitamin C deficiency. Although considered a rare disease in high-income countries, it has been recently increasingly reported in children, especially in those with abnormal dietary habits, mental or physical disabilities. We performed an extensive review of the literature analyzing studies published in the last 20 years focusing on clinical features, differential diagnosis and diagnostic delay. Fifteen articles were selected, collectively reporting a total of 166 children. Because of the wide clinical spectrum (musculoskeletal complaints and/or mucocutaneous lesions or systemic symptoms), scurvy can mimic several conditions, including autoimmune diseases, infections, and neoplasia. In addition, frequent findings such as normal nutritional status, anemia or elevated inflammatory markers may guide clinicians towards the abovementioned misdiagnoses. Scurvy should be considered in patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints, not only in those with risk factors but also in healthy children. A focused dietary history and a careful physical examination, assessing other signs of vitamin C deficiency, are mandatory in these patients. When suspected, the dosage of serum vitamin C is the diagnostic gold standard; furthermore, imaging studies, performed by an expert radiologist, can reveal the typical features of scurvy. Only early diagnosis can avoid unnecessary investigations and potentially fatal complications of the disease.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency
/
Scurvy
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Nutrients
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy