What are the symptoms of scurvy

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Symptoms of Scurvy: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction to Scurvy Symptoms

Scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, manifests through a variety of symptoms that can affect multiple body systems. This article synthesizes findings from several research studies to provide a detailed overview of the symptoms associated with scurvy.

General and Constitutional Symptoms

One of the earliest and most common symptoms of scurvy is fatigue, which occurs after several weeks of inadequate vitamin C intake 24. Patients often experience general weakness, malaise, and lethargy, which can significantly impact daily activities 510.

Cutaneous Manifestations

Scurvy frequently presents with distinctive skin changes. These include follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular hemorrhages, ecchymoses, and petechiae 210. Patients may also exhibit xerosis (dry skin) and hyperkeratotic skin changes . These cutaneous symptoms are often accompanied by poor wound healing and bent or coiled body hairs .

Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Musculoskeletal complaints are prevalent in scurvy, with patients often reporting arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (muscle pain), and hemarthrosis (bleeding into joints) 310. Lower limb pain and swelling are particularly common, sometimes leading to an inability to walk 89. Imaging studies may reveal osteolysis, joint space loss, osteonecrosis, and periosteal proliferation .

Oral and Gum Abnormalities

Gum abnormalities are a hallmark of scurvy, especially in patients with teeth. Symptoms include gingival swelling, purplish discoloration, and hemorrhages 24. These oral manifestations can lead to significant discomfort and are often one of the more noticeable signs of the disease.

Hematologic Symptoms

Anemia is a frequent finding in scurvy, often accompanied by leukopenia (low white blood cell count) 210. Patients may also present with elevated inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 18.

Vascular and Systemic Symptoms

Scurvy can cause vascular purpura and bleeding, which are due to the weakened blood vessels resulting from vitamin C deficiency . In severe cases, patients may experience syncope (fainting) and sudden death . Other systemic symptoms include leg edema and chest pain .

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Although less common, scurvy can also affect the central nervous system, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms. These may include mood changes, depression, and cognitive impairments .

Conclusion

Scurvy presents with a wide range of symptoms affecting various body systems. Early recognition and treatment with vitamin C supplementation can lead to rapid and dramatic improvement in symptoms. Awareness of these diverse manifestations is crucial for timely diagnosis and management, especially in populations at risk due to poor nutrition or specific dietary habits.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Rheumatic manifestations of scurvy: a report of three recent cases in a major urban center and a review.

Scurvy can occur in normal populations in affluent countries, with rheumatologic symptoms often presenting to rheumatologists, highlighting the need for awareness of the disease to make proper diagnosis.

Case Report

2011·

43citations

·Marty T Mertens et al.

Adult scurvy.

Scurvy in adults develops from inadequate consumption of vitamin C, primarily found in fruits and vegetables, and is treated with vitamin C, resulting in rapid and dramatic improvement.

Highly Cited

1999·

70citations

·J. Hirschmann et al.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of scurvy.

Scurvy can cause musculoskeletal symptoms, including arthralgia, myalgia, hemarthrosis, and muscular hematomas, and can be diagnosed with a serum ascorbic acid level below 2.5 mg/l.

Case ReportHighly Cited

2005·

199citations

·O. Fain

Scurvy Outbreak Among South Sudanese Adolescents and Young Men — Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, 2017–2018

Scurvy outbreak among South Sudanese adolescents and young men in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, was caused by vitamin C deficiency, and treatment with vitamin C improved symptoms within 1 week.

2019·

23citations

·M. Ververs et al.

Scurvy in a young man: a rare case report

Scurvy in a 25-year-old male patient was diagnosed due to a long history of staying indoors and inadequate intake of fruits or vegetables.

Case Report

2023·

4citations

·Rui-Ling Lu et al.

Transfusion‐refractory pancytopenia with MDS‐like morphologic alterations of the bone marrow in a 29‐year old man: A mimicry manifestation caused by scurvy

Scurvy can cause transfusion-refractory pancytopenia and MDS-like bone marrow alterations, mimicking MDS-like bone marrow manifestations in a 29-year-old man.

Case Report

2022·

1citation

·P. Mayr et al.

Neuropsychiatric scurvy.

Neuropsychiatric scurvy is a distinct form of scurvy affecting the central nervous system, with distinct pathophysiologic factors and diagnostic and management challenges.

2015·

21citations

·Thomas M. Brown

Modern Day Scurvy in Pediatric Orthopaedics: A Forgotten Illness.

Scurvy in children can cause bone pain and inability to walk, and treatment with vitamin C supplementation effectively resolves symptoms and allows children to walk.

2020·

29citations

·Tommy Pan et al.

A Narrative Review on Pediatric Scurvy: The Last Twenty Years

Pediatric scurvy is increasingly reported in children, with a wide clinical spectrum and potential for misdiagnosis, requiring early diagnosis to avoid complications.

Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous Journal

2022·

56citations

·S. Trapani et al.

An Epidemic of Scurvy, Identified Based on Lower Extremity Swelling, in a Southern Ethiopian Prison.

Scurvy was identified as the cause of an outbreak in a southern Ethiopian prison, with vitamin C supplementation improving symptoms and no further cases identified after a 4-week follow-up period.

Rigorous Journal

2021·

6citations

·W. Amogne et al.

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