Highly Selective Eating in Autism Spectrum Disorder Leading to Scurvy: A Series of Three Patients.

BACKGROUND

Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have highly specific food selectivity and therefore are prone to nutritional deficiencies of different kinds.

PATIENTS: We document three children with ASD who presented with refusal to walk and gingivitis who underwent comprehensive evaluations before establishing the diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). The symptoms resolved after treatment with vitamin C.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention of nutritional deficiencies in children with ASD is essential, and providing multivitamin supplementation whenever high food selectivity is noted may prevent significant morbidity.