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Scurvy presenting primarily as gingival manifestation in a young child: A diagnostic dilemma

Chaluvaraj, Rashmi; Ashley, Paul; Parekh, Susan; (2022) Scurvy presenting primarily as gingival manifestation in a young child: A diagnostic dilemma. BMJ Case Reports (In press). Green open access

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Abstract

Vitamin C deficiency, historically known as Scurvy was associated with sailors in the Victorian times, however, a global review in 2020 suggests it still exists in certain at-risk groups. A case is presented of a young non-verbal child with learning difficulties and on a restricted diet, in which the primary symptom was gingival inflammation. It posed a diagnostic dilemma due to the non-specific symptoms, until vitamin C deficiency was confirmed. Gingival inflammation is one of the common findings in vitamin C deficiency and dental professionals may be the first point of contact. The importance of dietary evaluation, identifying and looking for other signs and liaising with the medical colleagues are discussed. Conclusion: This case highlights the role of the dentist in identifying latent cases of vitamin C deficiency and to consider this as a differential diagnosis especially in certain at-risk groups.

Type: Article
Title: Scurvy presenting primarily as gingival manifestation in a young child: A diagnostic dilemma
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Publisher version: https://casereports.bmj.com/pages/
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute > EDI Craniofacial and Development Sci
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10149331
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