Pailhous S, Lamoureux S, Caietta E, Bosdure E, Chambost H, Chabrol B, Bresson V
Unité de médecine infantile, CHU de la Timone Enfants, AP-HM, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France; Service de pédiatrie générale, CHG Henri-Duffaut, 305, rue Raoul-Follereau 84902 Avignon cedex 9, France.
Service de pédiatrie générale, CHG Henri-Duffaut, 305, rue Raoul-Follereau 84902 Avignon cedex 9, France.
Arch Pediatr. 2015 Jan;22(1):63-5. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2014.10.003. Epub 2014 Nov 20.
Scurvy is the clinical manifestation of a deficiency in vitamin C, which is present in fresh fruits and vegetables. It is historically linked to the era of great maritime expeditions. Manifestations are misleading in children, in contrast with adults: bone disease and hemorrhagic syndrome are the earliest and most frequent manifestations due to a collagen biosynthesis defect. Scurvy is an old, potentially fatal disease but is easily curable with ascorbic acid. It can be prevented with vitamin C treatment in pediatric populations with unusual eating habits. We describe two cases of pediatric scurvy in two 7-year-old boys who had dietary restrictions stemming from developmental disorders.