METHODS: A retrospective study was done at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia over a three-year period, from August 2019 to July 2022. Children from birth to 18 years old, whose vitamin C levels were low (<23 μmol/L), were included. Data extracted from hospital medical records included demographics, weight, co-morbidities, eating disorder diagnoses, clinical features, investigations and treatment. Descriptive statistics and risk statistics were performed.
RESULTS: In a cohort of 887 patients who had their vitamin C levels checked, we identified 272 (31%) who had a vitamin C level <23 μmol/L. Of these, 13 (5%) were symptomatic of vitamin C deficiency and 19 (7%) may have been symptomatic. In patients with vitamin C deficiency, 248 (91%) had comorbidities, neurodevelopmental disorders being most common, and 176 (65%) had restricted eating. When the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were compared, in the symptomatic group, there was a significantly lower vitamin C level and disordered eating related to autism spectrum disorders was more common.
CONCLUSIONS: In order to avoid delayed diagnoses and unnecessary investigations, clinicians should be familiar with symptoms of scurvy and perform a dietary assessment, vitamin C assay, and commence empiric vitamin C supplementation where appropriate.
方法:在澳大利亚一家三级儿科医院进行了为期三年的回顾性研究,从2019年8月到2022年7月。从出生到18岁的孩子,维生素C水平低(<23μmol/L),包括在内。从医院医疗记录中提取的数据包括人口统计,体重,合并症,饮食失调诊断,临床特征,调查和治疗。进行描述性统计和风险统计。
结果:在接受维生素C水平检查的887名患者中,我们确定了272(31%)的维生素C水平<23μmol/L。其中,13(5%)是维生素C缺乏的症状,19(7%)可能是有症状的。在维生素C缺乏的患者中,248(91%)有合并症,神经发育障碍是最常见的,176人(65%)限制进食。当比较无症状和有症状组时,在有症状的组中,维生素C水平显著降低,与自闭症谱系障碍相关的饮食紊乱更为常见.
结论:为了避免延误诊断和不必要的检查,临床医生应该熟悉镰刀病的症状,并进行饮食评估,维生素C测定,并在适当情况下开始经验性补充维生素C。