BACKGROUND Since ancient times, scurvy has been considered one of the most fearsome nutritional deficiency diseases. In modern developed countries, this condition has become very rare and is only occasionally encountered, especially in the pediatric population. Underlying medical conditions, such as neuropsychiatric disorders, anorexia nervosa, celiac disease, Crohn disease, hemodialysis, and severe allergies to food products may enhance the risk of developing scurvy. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of an otherwise healthy 3-year-old white boy who developed scurvy due to a selective restrictive diet derived from his refusal to try new food. He presented to our clinic with asthenia and refusal to walk. During hospitalization he developed severe anemia and hematochezia. A diagnosis of scurvy was assessed on the basis of nutritional history, clinical features, radiographic findings, and laboratory findings. Supplementation of ascorbic acid enabled a prompt resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency. Cutaneous bleeding, mucosal bleeding, and anemia represent typical manifestations of the disease. These symptoms are directly connected to ascorbic acid involvement in collagen biosynthesis. Some radiographic findings can be useful for the diagnosis. Treatment aims to normalize serum levels of vitamin C in order to counteract the deprivation symptoms. The present case report demonstrates that scurvy may sporadically occur in pediatric patients, even in individuals with no predisposing medical conditions and/or potential risk factors.

中文翻译：

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即使没有潜在危险因素的儿童也可能发生坏血病：病例报告。


背景技术自古以来，坏血病就被认为是最可怕的营养缺乏性疾病之一。在现代发达国家，这种情况已经变得非常罕见，只是偶尔遇到，特别是在儿科人群中。潜在的医疗状况，如神经精神疾病、神经性厌食症、乳糜泻、克罗恩病、血液透析和对食品的严重过敏，可能会增加患坏血病的风险。病例介绍 我们报告了一名原本健康的 3 岁白人男孩的病例，他因拒绝尝试新食物而选择性限制饮食而患上坏血病。他因无力和拒绝行走而到我们诊所就诊。住院期间，他出现严重贫血和便血。坏血病的诊断是根据营养史、临床特征、放射学检查结果和实验室检查结果进行评估的。补充抗坏血酸可以迅速缓解症状。结论 坏血病是由维生素C缺乏引起的。皮肤出血、粘膜出血和贫血是该病的典型表现。这些症状与抗坏血酸参与胶原蛋白生物合成直接相关。一些放射学检查结果可能有助于诊断。治疗的目的是使维生素 C 的血清水平正常化，以抵消剥夺症状。本病例报告表明，坏血病可能偶尔发生在儿科患者中，即使是没有诱发疾病和/或潜在危险因素的个体。