Known But Forgotten Disease: A Ten-year-old Scurvy Case

Abstract

In this case report, the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment process of a ten-year-old male patient with cerebral palsy diagnosed with scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency are presented. A 10-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and epilepsy was admitted with complaints of pain, swelling, and inability to step on the right ankle and left knee for 3 weeks. Swelling and edema were present in the left knee and right ankle. There were petechial lesions and ecchymosis on the legs. In addition, gingival bleeding and hypertrophy were observed. Laboratory examinations revealed anemia and acute phase reactant elevation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy was initiated, but no regression was observed. Radiographs of the left knee and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, and dense lines were detected in the metaphyseal line. When the patient's dense lines finding, myalgia, petechiae, anemia that is unresponsive to iron treatment, gingival hypertrophy, and bleeding were evaluated, it was found to be compatible with scurvy disease. Despite the prevalence of easy access to food and healthy nutrition information, scurvy disease should be considered in patients with selectively fed autism spectrum disorder or neurodevelopmental retardation, as in our case.

Keywords

• child
• dense line
• metaphyseal irregularity
• petechiae
• vitamin c