INFANTILE SCURVY Meaning and
Definition
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Infantile scurvy is a rare, but potentially serious disorder characterized by a deficiency of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, in infants. It is a condition primarily caused by inadequate intake of vitamin C-rich foods or a lack of sufficient absorption of the vitamin in the body.
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of collagen, a protein that supports the structure of connective tissues, bones, blood vessels, and skin. In the case of infants, vitamin C is important for their growth and development. Without an adequate supply of vitamin C, their bodies are unable to produce the necessary amount of collagen, leading to the signs and symptoms associated with infantile scurvy.
The early symptoms of this condition may include irritability, fatigue, poor appetite, and weight loss. As the deficiency progresses, infants may develop musculoskeletal problems such as joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, and swelling. They may also present with a characteristic rash, which can appear as red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
If left untreated, infantile scurvy can lead to detrimental effects on the child's overall health and growth. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The treatment typically involves administering oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements to correct the deficiency and alleviate the symptoms.
Prevention of infantile scurvy can be achieved by ensuring sufficient vitamin C intake through a balanced diet or, in some cases, with the guidance of healthcare professionals, through vitamin C supplements. Timely introduction of fruits and vegetables into a child's diet can also help prevent the occurrence of infantile scurvy.
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Barlow's disease, Moller's disease, Cheadle's disease, acute rickets; a cachectic condition, resulting from the use of improper food, in infants; marked by pallor, fetid breath, coated tongue, diarrhea, and subperiosteal hemorrhages.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INFANTILE SCURVY
- unfantile scurvy
- jnfantile scurvy
- knfantile scurvy
- onfantile scurvy
- 9nfantile scurvy
- 8nfantile scurvy
- ibfantile scurvy
- imfantile scurvy
- ijfantile scurvy
- ihfantile scurvy
- indantile scurvy
- incantile scurvy
- invantile scurvy
- ingantile scurvy
- intantile scurvy
- inrantile scurvy
- infzntile scurvy
- infsntile scurvy
- infwntile scurvy
- infqntile scurvy
Etymology of INFANTILE SCURVY
"Infantile scurvy" is a medical term used to describe a condition called scurvy that affects infants. The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. Infantile: This term is derived from the Latin word "infans", which means "not speaking" or "unable to speak". It refers to young children or babies who have not yet learned to speak.
2. Scurvy: The word "scurvy" has its origins in the Old Norse language, where it was known as "skyrbjugr". The word then entered Middle English as "scorbutus" and eventually evolved into "scurvy". The exact origin of the Norse word is uncertain, but it is believed to be related to the Dutch term "schorbuik" and the Middle Low German term "schurbocken".
