Ancient Bruises: a Case of Skin Lesions due to Vitamin C Deficiency
  • Dipti Rao
    Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem
  • Roeland F. Stolk
    Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem
  • Maaike H. de Blauw
    Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem
  • Marcel M.C. Hovens
    Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem
  • Robert-Jan Hassing
    Department of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem

Keywords

Scurvy, ascorbic acid, ecchymosis, psychiatric disease

Abstract

Scurvy was a common 18th century disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It presents with multiple non-specific symptoms and can lead to capillary fragility due to impaired collagen synthesis. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with fatigue, nausea and progressive skin lesions consisting of multiple ecchymoses on the legs as also described in the diary drawings of a navy doctor in the 19th century. The ascorbic acid level was undetectable low in the patient’s serum. However, treatment with 500 mg ascorbic acid daily dramatically improved the skin lesions within 5 days.

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References

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    Published: 2015-10-19
    Issue: Vol. 2 No. 7 (2015) (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Rao D, Stolk RF, de Blauw MH, Hovens MM, Hassing R-J. Ancient Bruises: a Case of Skin Lesions due to Vitamin C Deficiency. EJCRIM 2015;2 doi:10.12890/2015_000297.