A patient presents with pale skin, sunken eyes, sore gums, muscle pain, loose teeth, and corkscrew-shaped hair. A deficiency in which of the following vitamins would result in the observed symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are indicative of scurvy, which is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and its deficiency leads to the symptoms mentioned.  Deficiency in vitamin C leads to the disease scurvy due to the role of the vitamin in the posttranslational modification of collagens. Scurvy is characterized by easily bruised skin, muscle fatigue, soft swollen gums, decreased wound healing and hemorrhaging, osteoporosis, and anemia.

A Patient Presents with Pale Skin, Sunken Eyes, Sore Gums