In the United States, most cases of scurvy occur in children between the ages of 7 months to 2 years. Scurvy is a deficiency of which vitamin?

• A. Vitamin A
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin K

Answer: (B)

Scurvy happens when there isn’t enough vitamin C, which is essential for making collagen, the protein that gives strength to skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Without enough vitamin C, collagen formation falters, leading to fragile vessels, easy bruising, swollen gums, poor wound healing, and anemia. In young children in the U.S., most cases occur during the dietary transition from breast milk to solid foods (roughly 7 months to 2 years) when intake of vitamin C–rich fruits and vegetables may be limited.

Vitamin C is the one associated with scurvy; the other vitamins point to different deficiency syndromes—vitamin A affects vision and mucosal health, vitamin D causes rickets, and vitamin K impairs blood clotting.