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Scurvy and vitamin C deficiency in an Australian tertiary children's hospital.
van Heerden, Carolyn; Cheng, Daryl R; McNab, Sarah; Burgess, Rosemary; Russell, Ashleigh; Wang, Yichun; Bleathman, Freya; Maharaj, Isabella; Zhang, Jerry; Easterbrook, Marley; Papadopulos, Marie; Ibrahim, Laila F.
Affiliation
  • van Heerden C; Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Cheng DR; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • McNab S; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Burgess R; Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Russell A; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Wang Y; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Bleathman F; Centre for Health Analytics, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Maharaj I; Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Zhang J; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Easterbrook M; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Papadopulos M; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Ibrahim LF; The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39031615
ABSTRACT

AIM:

We aimed to investigate the frequency of vitamin C deficiency scurvy in the Australian paediatric context, describe cohorts at risk, and identify factors associated with development of symptoms in children with vitamin C deficiency. We also aimed to propose a management guideline for children with features of scurvy.

METHOD:

A retrospective study was done at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia over a three-year period, from August 2019 to July 2022. Children from birth to 18 years old, whose vitamin C levels were low (<23 µmol/L), were included. Data extracted from hospital medical records included demographics, weight, co-morbidities, eating disorder diagnoses, clinical features, investigations and treatment. Descriptive statistics and risk statistics were performed.

RESULTS:

In a cohort of 887 patients who had their vitamin C levels checked, we identified 272 (31%) who had a vitamin C level <23 µmol/L. Of these, 13 (5%) were symptomatic of vitamin C deficiency and 19 (7%) may have been symptomatic. In patients with vitamin C deficiency, 248 (91%) had comorbidities, neurodevelopmental disorders being most common, and 176 (65%) had restricted eating. When the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were compared, in the symptomatic group, there was a significantly lower vitamin C level and disordered eating related to autism spectrum disorders was more common.

CONCLUSION:

In order to avoid delayed diagnoses and unnecessary investigations, clinicians should be familiar with symptoms of scurvy and perform a dietary assessment, vitamin C assay, and commence empiric vitamin C supplementation where appropriate.
Key words

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Language: En Journal: J Paediatr Child Health Journal subject: PEDIATRIA Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Australia Country of publication: Australia

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Language: En Journal: J Paediatr Child Health Journal subject: PEDIATRIA Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Australia Country of publication: Australia