9-Year-Old Autistic Boy Develops Scurvy Due to Severe Vitamin C Deficiency

A 9-year-old boy named Nadav, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, developed scurvy after years of not eating fruits or vegetables. His parents first noticed he was limping while playing at a playground, initially attributing it to a minor injury. However, his condition worsened over weeks, leading to difficulty walking and bleeding gums. Eventually, Nadav was unable to walk and had to use a wheelchair during hospital visits.

After extensive medical tests, doctors at Schneider Children's Medical Center suspected scurvy, a rare disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency. Dr. Ido Navon, who treated Nadav, noted that children on the autism spectrum with selective eating habits are at risk for such nutritional deficiencies. Nadav's limited diet, mainly consisting of tuna, cheese sandwiches, and cake, lacked fruits and vegetables, which contributed to his condition.

Following the diagnosis, Nadav began receiving vitamin C treatment intravenously and then orally, resulting in rapid improvement. Within two weeks, he regained the ability to stand and walk, and after about a month, his condition improved by approximately 85%, with only a slight limp remaining. Dr. Navon emphasized that untreated scurvy can cause severe bone damage, bleeding, and tooth loss.

Nadav's parents are now working to gradually expand his diet to include more fruits and vegetables, understanding the critical role of vitamin C in health. This case highlights the importance of monitoring nutrition in children with selective eating behaviors, especially those on the autism spectrum, to prevent rare but serious deficiencies like scurvy.