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Case Reports
. 2019 May:94:61-63.
doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2018.12.011. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Highly Selective Eating in Autism Spectrum Disorder Leading to Scurvy: A Series of Three Patients

Rana Swed-Tobia  1 , Ahmad Haj  2 , Daniella Militianu  3 , Orly Eshach  4 , Sarit Ravid  5 , Ram Weiss  2 , Yonatan Butbul Aviel  6
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Case Reports

Highly Selective Eating in Autism Spectrum Disorder Leading to Scurvy: A Series of Three Patients

Rana Swed-Tobia et al. Pediatr Neurol. 2019 May.

Abstract

Background: Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have highly specific food selectivity and therefore are prone to nutritional deficiencies of different kinds.

Patients: We document three children with ASD who presented with refusal to walk and gingivitis who underwent comprehensive evaluations before establishing the diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). The symptoms resolved after treatment with vitamin C.

Conclusions: Prevention of nutritional deficiencies in children with ASD is essential, and providing multivitamin supplementation whenever high food selectivity is noted may prevent significant morbidity.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Food selectivity; Scurvy; Vitamin C.

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