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Query: UMLS:C0036474 (scurvy)
 685 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The purpose of this paper was to report the case of a 2-year-old Caucasian female who was referred with a presumed diagnosis of pediatric rheumatoid arthritis. The patient presented widespread gingival swelling with bleeding, sharp pain, and halitosis. The patient also presented pain and swelling of the right knee joint, and psychomotor restlessness associated with muscular frailty. Little compliance on the part of both the patient and parents was also noted. Oral manifestations, together with an accurate medical history, led to the diagnosis of infantile scurvy, caused by an inadequate dietary supply of vitamin C. Administering 250 mg of ascorbic acid orally twice a day led to the remission of gingival swelling and of the other symptoms. The parents were advised to feed the child appropriate foods. Nutritional problems are traditionally linked to an insufficient availability of food, but can also be associated with child- or family-related psychological problems.
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PMID:A rare case of scurvy in an otherwise healthy child: diagnosis through oral signs. 2146 68

We present a case of an otherwise healthy 3-year-old child who presented with limping, bone pain, fatigue, and agitation. Differential diagnosis included an infection of the bone, malignancy, an inflammatory bone disease, and metabolic bone disease. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lower limbs and the spine was consistent with scurvy, and the diagnosis was confirmed by very low levels of vitamin C. Further history taking revealed a diet based entirely on dairy pudding, with no fruits or vegetables, and being a "picky eater" was the sole reason. Intravenous treatment with vitamin C led to full recovery. Previous reports of scurvy were in patients with other medical conditions, such as malabsorption, or behavioral conditions as in autism. This case demonstrates that scurvy, an almost forgotten condition from past centuries, can occur in otherwise healthy children and should raise awareness regarding the importance of a balanced diet and proper nutritional history taking. Following growth charts as the only screening tool for balanced and inclusive nutrition may not be sufficient.
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PMID:"What can you C in a limping child?" Scurvy in an otherwise healthy "picky eater". 3310 52