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Scurvy

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Scurvy is a disease due to deficiency of ascorbic acid - vitamin C - and is characterised by anaemia, spongy gums, a tendency to mucocutaneous haemorrhages, and brawny induration of calf and leg muscles.

For infants, adequate amounts of vitamin C are present in:

  • breast milk - unless the mother has subclinical avitaminosis C
  • most proprietary infant milk formulae

Inadequate amounts of vitamin C are found in:

  • cow's milk
  • all boiled, dried, or evaporated milks

Smokers and people on low-income are among those at increased risk of deficiency (1) with other at-risk populations including older people, and individuals with underlying medical or psychiatric conditions. (2)

 

References

  1. Schleicher RL, Carroll MD, Ford ES, et al. Serum vitamin C and the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency in the United States: 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Nov;90(5):1252-63.
  2. Velandia B, Centor RM, McConnell V, et al. Scurvy is still present in developed countries. J Gen Intern Med. 2008 Aug;23(8):1281-4.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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