Scurvy Masquerading as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or Vasculitis with Elevated Inflammatory Markers: A Case Series

J Pediatr. 2020 Mar:218:234-237.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.10.059. Epub 2019 Dec 13.

Abstract

Ten patients with scurvy were evaluated by rheumatology; we review their clinical, laboratory, and dietary presentations. Eight patients had developmental delay or autism. All had elevated inflammatory markers. These clinical and laboratory features with imaging findings can mimic rheumatic conditions such as arthritis, vasculitis, and chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO).

Keywords: arthritis; ascorbic acid; autism; developmental delay; inflammation; musculoskeletal pain; scurvy; vitamin C.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / blood
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / complications
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / diagnosis*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency
  • Autistic Disorder / blood
  • Autistic Disorder / complications
  • Child
  • Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diet*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / complications
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / diagnosis
  • Osteomyelitis / complications
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Rheumatology / methods
  • Scurvy / blood
  • Scurvy / complications
  • Scurvy / diagnosis*
  • Vasculitis / blood
  • Vasculitis / complications
  • Vasculitis / diagnosis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Ascorbic Acid