Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. (2026).4(156): 139-147. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.4(156).139147
N.I. Balatska^1,2, A.M. Antoshkina¹, Ya.S. Stepaniuk², A.G. Rusyn², S.M. Rudenko^2
1Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
²National Children's Specialized Hospital «OKHMATDYT» Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv

For citation: Balatska NI, Antoshkina AM, Stepaniuk YaS, Rusyn AG, Rudenko SM. (2026). Scurvy in children: literature review and a clinical case of severe scurvy in a 5-year-old child of psycho-social genesis. Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. 4(156): 139-147. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.4(156).139147.
Article received: Feb 14, 2026. Accepted for publication: May 12, 2026.

In children, scurvy is characterized by pronounced musculoskeletal symptoms; it can mimic rheumatological, vascular, and oncological diseases and often leads to a prolonged diagnostic process.
Aim – to identify key anamnestic, clinical, and imaging features essential for the timely diagnosis of scurvy, based on a literature review and the clinical course of the disease in a preschool-aged child.
Clinical case. A girl aged 5 years and 9 months was examined in hospitals of various levels of care during three months with different preliminary diagnoses: reactive coxitis, acute popliteal vein thrombosis, tumor process in the thigh, dermatomyositis, and neurofibromatosis. The main clinical manifestation was thickening of the lower extremities: the thighs, shins, and joints, with signs of inflammation (soft-tissue induration, local hyperemia and hyperthermia, severe pain). The child was malnourished, lost the ability to stand and walk, and the limbs assumed a "frog legs" position. Laboratory tests indicated an inflammatory process and deficiency states (vitamins D and B12, and folate). Imaging studies revealed changes typical of scurvy, but specialists, due to limited experience, interpreted them as consistent with another pathology. A detailed analysis of the patient's diet indicated a likely vitamin C deficiency; extremely low serum vitamin C levels confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment of multivitamin deficiency was effective.
Conclusions. Knowledge of the clinical presentation of scurvy in children and typical paraclinical findings, combined with attention to dietary history and the family environment-particularly during times of social disasters (epidemics, wars) – will contribute to the timely diagnosis of scurvy.
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The child's parents provided informed consent for the child to participate in the study
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: scurvy, children, musculoskeletal manifestation, imaging signs, ascorbic acid, literature review, clinical case.

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