Scurvy

Petechiae, Purpura, and a Pandemic: A Recipe for Scurvy

“…The differential for bleeding disorders is broad and includes etiologies of primary hemostasis (thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction) as well as secondary hemostasis (coagulation factor deficiency or inhibitors, for example). The differential in patients with normal platelet counts and coagulation parameters is much more focused and includes disorders such as von Willebrand disease, connective tissue disorders (such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), mild clotting factor deficiencies, platelet function disorders, and scurvy [2][3][4].…”

“…Today, scurvy is uncommon in the United States, although certain populations continue to be at risk. There are many case reports of scurvy in the elderly patients over the age of 65 years [1,3,7,9]. These patients were often malnourished, financially limited, and/or used alcohol excessively.…”

Scurvy: classic mucocutaneous manifestation in a child due to selective diet

“…Classic features are gingival bleeding and hyperplasia, follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular purpura, ecchymosis, limb edema, delayed wound healing, subungual splinter hemorrhages, and corkscrew hairs. It can also manifest as muscular or skeletal disorders 3 . Symptoms usually appear around 3 months after a reduction in vitamin C intake, and the earliest sign tends to be fatigue.…”

“…Along with its antioxidant properties, ascorbic acid is also involved in iron metabolism, hormone production, and wound healing. 1,3 Scurvy primarily affects the soft tissue and skin. Classic features are gingival bleeding and hyperplasia, follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular purpura, ecchymosis, limb edema, delayed wound healing, subungual splinter hemorrhages, and corkscrew hairs.…”

“…It can also manifest as muscular or skeletal disorders. 3 Symptoms usually appear around 3 months after a reduction in vitamin C intake, and the earliest sign tends to be fatigue. In developed countries, this is usually found among malnourished patients.…”