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Scurvy is seldom suspected in children presenting with arthritis or extremity problems. A case series describes 10 children in Seattle (ages 3–20 years, 9 males) over 4 years who were found to have scurvy after referral to a rheumatology service for evaluation of lower extremity pain, limp, or refusal to bear weight. Among the findings:
Other symptoms included ecchymoses (5 patients), petechiae, myalgias, polyarthralgia, gingivitis, epistaxis, sores in the mouth, anemia, and corkscrew hairs. One patient had arthritis.
Reasons for referral were suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis, vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura), and diffuse nonbacterial osteomyelitis.
Eight patients had autism, developmental delay, or both. Most patients had limited …