Which disease is caused by Vitamin-C deficiency?

Appeared in: Bihar CHO - 2021

Explanation

Scurvy is the clinical syndrome caused by a severe and prolonged deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Vitamin C is a crucial cofactor for enzymes involved in collagen synthesis. Impaired collagen production weakens connective tissues throughout the body.
The classic signs of scurvy, such as bleeding gums, easy bruising, and poor wound healing, are direct consequences of this defective collagen formation.
Humans cannot synthesize Vitamin C and must obtain it from dietary sources like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables.

Option B: Rickets is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D, not Vitamin C. It specifically affects bone development in growing children.
Option C: Osteomalacia is the adult counterpart to rickets, also caused by Vitamin D deficiency. It results in the softening of bones.
Option D: Beri-beri is caused by a deficiency of Thiamine (Vitamin B1), not Vitamin C.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vitamin Deficiency Diseases helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must be vigilant in identifying patients at risk for nutritional deficiencies, such as the elderly, chronic alcoholics, and individuals on highly restrictive diets.
Patient education is a critical nursing role. Teaching patients and their families about dietary sources of essential vitamins can prevent deficiency diseases like scurvy.
What if? If a child on a highly restrictive diet (e.g., due to autism spectrum disorder) presents with leg pain and a refusal to walk, a nurse should consider scurvy as a potential diagnosis, as this is a modern-day risk factor.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of major vitamin deficiencies.
First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the disease linked to 'Vitamin-C deficiency'.
Mentally access your knowledge about vitamins. Recall that Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid.
Connect Vitamin C deficiency to its classic disease, which is Scurvy.
Review the other options to confirm your answer. Associate Rickets/Osteomalacia with Vitamin D and Beri-beri with Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).
Since Scurvy is the only option linked to Vitamin C deficiency, select it as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-rKTTkWrDFUiXzrxGttju

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 448-450

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 513-515

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 112-114

Practise the full Bihar CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.