Scurvy masquerading as IgA vasculitis.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single clinical case report
PubMed 38760753 · doi:10.1186/s12969-024-00992-2
What was done
Clinical evaluation, diagnostic workup, and dietary review for a 13-year-old boy with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and developmental delay referred for suspected recurrent, severe, and atypical IgA vasculitis. Investigations reported in the abstract included clinical exams, laboratory testing, oral surgical inspection, skin biopsy, and skeletal radiography.
What was found
The patient exhibited irritability, anorexia, severe weight loss, petechial and ecchymotic lower extremity lesions, unilateral gingival swelling, severe arthritis, peripheral edema, anemia, and elevated inflammatory markers (no numerical values provided in the abstract). Scurvy was confirmed by surgical identification of friable gingiva and loose teeth, skin biopsy showing follicular hyperkeratosis with perifollicular red blood cell extravasation, and characteristic radiographic findings.
Why it matters
Scurvy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with combined musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous, and systemic symptoms, particularly in populations with neurodevelopmental disorders prone to highly restrictive diets.
Limits
This report describes only a single patient (n = 1), precluding generalization. The abstract does not provide specific laboratory quantities, serum vitamin C levels, therapeutic dosing details, or precise timelines for clinical recovery.
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- supports Unexplained easy bruising in young individuals can be caused by a vitamin C deficiency or a vitamin K1 deficiency.