Scurvy presenting primarily as gingival manifestation in a young child: a diagnostic dilemma.
BMJ Case Rep
; 15(6)2022 Jun 20.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1901949
ABSTRACT
Vitamin C deficiency, historically known as scurvy, was associated with sailors in the Victorian times, however, a global review in 2020 suggests it still exists in certain at-risk groups.A case is presented of a young non-verbal child with learning difficulties and on a restricted diet, in which the primary symptom was gingival inflammation. It posed a diagnostic dilemma due to the non-specific symptoms, and a delay in the diagnosis, until vitamin C deficiency was confirmed.Gingival inflammation is one of the common findings in vitamin C deficiency and dental professionals may be the first point of contact. The importance of dietary evaluation, identifying and looking for other signs and liaising with the medical colleagues are discussed.This case highlights the role of the dentist in identifying latent cases of vitamin C deficiency and to consider this as a differential diagnosis especially in certain at-risk groups.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency
/
Scurvy
Type of study:
Case report
/
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bcr-2022-249113
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