eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Metabolic Diseases

Scurvy: Follow-up

Author: Anne Laumann, MB, ChB, MRCP(UK), FAAD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Coauthor(s): Julia Sanger Minocha, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Janet J Wong, MD, Consulting Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 21, 2009

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention:

  • Scurvy can be prevented by consuming fresh fruit and vegetables. As little as 6-10 mg of vitamin C a day is sufficient to maintain body stores of more than 350 mg.

Complications:

  • Lethargy, fatigue, and hemorrhagic manifestations of impaired collagen synthesis affecting oral, ophthalmic, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal structures and functions may occur.
  • Cerebral hemorrhage or hemopericardium are potential complications that may lead to death.

Patient Education:

  • Patients and their families should be educated about proper nutrition.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Tarita Thomas, PhD, MBA, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Scurvy

Overview: Scurvy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Scurvy
Treatment & Medication: Scurvy
Follow-up: Scurvy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

infantile scurvy, Barlow disease, Barlow's disease, vitamin C deficiency, ascorbic acid, widower scurvy, chronic malnutrition

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Anne Laumann, MB, ChB, MRCP(UK), FAAD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Anne Laumann, MB, ChB, MRCP(UK), FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Chicago Dermatological Society, Chicago Medical Society, Illinois Dermatological Society, Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society, Medical Dermatology Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Julia Sanger Minocha, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Julia Sanger Minocha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Janet J Wong, MD, Consulting Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut
Janet J Wong, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Vermont College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Division of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care
Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, American Dermatological Association, Dermatology Foundation, Medical Dermatology Society, and Women's Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Van Perry, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center
Van Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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