| Causes The human body cannot
synthesis vitamin C or ascorbic acid and therefore if not supplied in the diet it causes
deficiency.
Signs and symptoms
A deficiency in the intake of vitamin C causes Scurvy. The associated symptoms are
looseing of the teeth, gingivitis* and anaemia, which may be due to a specific function of
ascorbic acid in haemoglobin synthesis.
Scurvy may occur in infants receiving formula diets with a lack of vitamin C. The infant
is irritable and resents being touched because of pain.
* Inflammation of the gums.
Prevention and treatment
Vitamin C is given orally, however in conditions that prevent adequate absorption from
the gastro intestinal tract parenteral solutions may be given.
Because of the daily loss of the infused ascorbic acid in the urine, daily doses of 200 mg
are needed to maintain normal concentrations.
Vitamin C
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