Scurvy is a condition caused by a severe lack of dietary vitamin C, which is found
in many fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C serves as an essential cofactor for collagen
production. As an important structural protein, deficiencies in collagen formation
result in fragile tissues and capillaries. (
1
) Physical examination findings of lower extremity edema, hyperkeratosis, poor wound
healing, perifollicular petechiae, purpura, and corkscrew hair are all associated
with scurvy. Treatment for scurvy is with vitamin C supplementation and modification
to the dietary habits that led to the condition. (
2
) We present a case of a patient who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) for
dramatic leg lesions and was found to have scurvy.Keywords
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References
- Ascorbic acid and connective tissue.in: Harris JR Subcellular biochemistry volume 25: ascorbic acid: biochemistry and biomedical cell biology. Plenum Press, New York1996: 249-264
- Adult scurvy.J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999; 41 (quiz 907–10): 895-906
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 29, 2022
Accepted:
May 9,
2022
Received in revised form:
April 23,
2022
Received:
March 4,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
