Case Report: Autistic child with restrictive eating behaviour, limping gait and erythematous gingival mass-scurvy?

ABSTRACT: Scurvy, a condition caused by a deficiency in ascorbic acid, is often considered an outdated, textbook disease, largely forgotten in the 21st century. However, recent reports indicate a rise in cases, particularly among individuals with risk factors for nutritional deficiencies or those with specific dietary habits. These cases are frequently misdiagnosed, leading to a series of unnecessary tests that could be avoided with a thorough assessment of dietary intake. In this report, we present the case of a 10-year-old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a selective eating pattern, who presented with a limping gait, tenderness in the right calf, and significant weight loss. A skin examination revealed multiple perifollicular hemorrhages with corkscrew-shaped hair, as well as localized eryt

SUBMITTER: Logonathan P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12313698 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature