Bilateral proptosis in a child with vitamin C deficiency

Scurvy is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind, caused by vitamin C deficiency. Nowadays it exists primarily in certain vulnerable populations such as patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Proptosis due to orbital haemorrhage is a rare complication of scurvy. Here we describe a case...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International ophthalmology 2012-12, Vol.32 (6), p.599-601
Main Authors: Saha, Pritam, Pal, Radha Binod, Das, Ira, Sinha, Malay Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency - complications
Case Report
Child, Preschool
Diagnosis, Differential
Exophthalmos - diagnosis
Exophthalmos - etiology
Exophthalmos - physiopathology
Eye Movements
Hematoma - complications
Hematoma - diagnosis
Humans
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Ophthalmology
Orbit - blood supply
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Scurvy is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind, caused by vitamin C deficiency. Nowadays it exists primarily in certain vulnerable populations such as patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Proptosis due to orbital haemorrhage is a rare complication of scurvy. Here we describe a case of diaplegic cerebral palsy presented with sudden onset of bilateral proptosis and swollen and tender knee joints. Subsequent computed tomography of the orbit revealed hematoma in the superior aspect of both orbits in the extraconal position. X-ray of the knee joints revealed bony changes consistent with scurvy. After 6 weeks of treatment with vitamin C orally, the proptosis and the bony changes returned to normal. Although scurvy is a rare disease in the general pediatric population, it still exists in certain vulnerable populations like neurologically disabled ones, and this uncommon cause for proptosis should be considered in such children.
ISSN:0165-5701
1573-2630
DOI:10.1007/s10792-012-9602-9