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General
intermediate
X-Type

Scurvy - Orthopaedic Manifestations and Vitamin C Deficiency

Metabolic Bone Disease

A 14-month-old child is brought to the emergency department with irritability, refusal to bear weight, and pseudoparalysis of the lower limbs. The parents report the child has been exclusively fed cow's milk since weaning at 4 months with no fruits or vegetables. On examination, there is swelling around both knees and ankles with extreme tenderness. The child assumes a characteristic frog-leg position. Gums appear swollen and hemorrhagic around erupted teeth. Radiographs show metaphyseal abnormalities with a dense white line at the zone of provisional calcification. Regarding scurvy and its orthopaedic manifestations:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Scurvy results from vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency; humans cannot synthesize vitamin C due to ...

B

The orthopaedic manifestations of scurvy include subperiosteal hemorrhage causing painful swelling a...

C

Scurvy causes excessive bone formation and hypercalcemia due to accelerated osteoblast activity; rad...

D

Classic radiographic signs of scurvy include: Frankel white line (dense zone of provisional calcific...

E

Risk factors for scurvy include exclusive milk diet without fruits/vegetables (particularly in infan...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option