[Infantile scurvy: Two cases].

BACKGROUND

Scurvy is the classic and most severe form of vitamin C deficiency. This condition has become extremely rare among children in the industrialized countries.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We report the case of two boys presenting bone pain associated with haemorrhagic gingivitis, with perifollicular purpura of the lower limbs in one boy. The children had an unbalanced diet. Scurvy was associated with vitamin D and iron deficiency. The dermatological and radiological abnormalities seen were characteristic and a favourable outcome was rapidly obtained following supplementation.

DISCUSSION: The possibility of this forgotten historical illness should not be overlooked in the presence of these dermatological and rheumatologic signs, since this can help avoid unnecessary or excessively aggressive investigations.