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Original ArticleOpen Access
Scurvy in Pediatric Patients : A Review of 28 Cases
RatanachuEk S 
,
Sukswai P ,
Jeerathanyasakun Y ,
Wongtapradit L
,
Sukswai P ,
Jeerathanyasakun Y ,
Wongtapradit L PIS IT SUKSW AI, MD**,
LAW AN WONGTAPRADIT, MD***
Objective
: To study the dietary factors, clinical findings, plasma vitamin C level and post-
treatment outcome of scurvy in pediatric patients at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.
Study design:
A retrospective study.
Method
: The medical and radiographic records of pediatric patients, diagnosed with scurvy
at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health from 1995 to 2002 were reviewed.
Results
: Twenty-eight pediatric patients were diagnosed with scurvy. Their ages ranged
between 10 months-9 years 7 months (median age of 29 months). 93 per cent of the cases were between
1-4 years of age. All were fed with well-cooked foods and small amounts or no vegetables and fruits.
Supplementation with ultra heat temperature (UHT) milk was found in 89 per cent, average 5.8 boxes/
day and 14.3 months in duration. Eighty-six per cent of cases were misdiagnosed previously. Clinical
manifestations involved limp or inability to walk (96% ), tenderness of lower limbs (86% ), bleeding per
gum (36%), fever (18%), and petechial hemorrhage (3.6%). All cases had abnormal radiographic find-
ings compatible with scurvy and 2 cases had epiphyseal separation. All had clinical improvement within
the first week after vitamin C supplementation.
Conclusion
: Vitamin C deficiency was found in the children's intake of small amounts or
no vegetables and fruits together with UHT-milk. Frequent manifestations were limping and inability
to walk and pain in the lower limbs. Response to vitamin C treatment was dramatic.
Key word
: Vitamin C Deficiency, Scurvy, UHT Milk, Limp, Gum Bleeding, Children
LAW AN WONGTAPRADIT, MD***
Objective
: To study the dietary factors, clinical findings, plasma vitamin C level and post-
treatment outcome of scurvy in pediatric patients at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.
Study design:
A retrospective study.
Method
: The medical and radiographic records of pediatric patients, diagnosed with scurvy
at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health from 1995 to 2002 were reviewed.
Results
: Twenty-eight pediatric patients were diagnosed with scurvy. Their ages ranged
between 10 months-9 years 7 months (median age of 29 months). 93 per cent of the cases were between
1-4 years of age. All were fed with well-cooked foods and small amounts or no vegetables and fruits.
Supplementation with ultra heat temperature (UHT) milk was found in 89 per cent, average 5.8 boxes/
day and 14.3 months in duration. Eighty-six per cent of cases were misdiagnosed previously. Clinical
manifestations involved limp or inability to walk (96% ), tenderness of lower limbs (86% ), bleeding per
gum (36%), fever (18%), and petechial hemorrhage (3.6%). All cases had abnormal radiographic find-
ings compatible with scurvy and 2 cases had epiphyseal separation. All had clinical improvement within
the first week after vitamin C supplementation.
Conclusion
: Vitamin C deficiency was found in the children's intake of small amounts or
no vegetables and fruits together with UHT-milk. Frequent manifestations were limping and inability
to walk and pain in the lower limbs. Response to vitamin C treatment was dramatic.
Key word
: Vitamin C Deficiency, Scurvy, UHT Milk, Limp, Gum Bleeding, Children
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