Diagnostic Considerations
When evaluating a patient with suspected scurvy, other conditions such as the following should also be considered:
- Acrodynia
- Autoimmune diseases (eg, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome)
- Child abuse and neglect
- Clotting factor deficiencies
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Hematologic malignancies (eg, acute lymphoblastic leukemia)
- Hypersensitivity vasculitis (leukocytoclastic vasculitis)
- Medication side effects
- Necrotizing gingivitis
- Platelet dysfunction (eg, immune thrombocytopenic purpura)
- Senile purpura
- Thrombophlebitis
- Vitamin D deficiency and related disorders
The bony pathology associated with scurvy could potentially be confused with physical abuse of a child. A good dietary history and the response to treatment with vitamin C establish the diagnosis and clear confusion. Nevertheless, in the developed world, vitamin C deficiency in children may be associated with neglect (ie, nutritionally inadequate diet) as a form of child abuse, even in the absence of overt signs of physical trauma.
Differential Diagnoses
- Meningococcemia
- Osteomyelitis
- Pediatric Poliomyelitis
- Pediatric Syphilis
- Retinoblastoma Imaging
- Rheumatic Fever
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Septic Arthritis
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