Internal Medicine

0521779407-22 CUNY1086/Karliner 0 521 77940 7 June 4, 2007 21:23

1536 Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin C Deficiency

Signs & Symptoms

■night blindness, xerophthalmia, keratomalacia, hyperkeratosis, uri-

nary calculi

tests

Laboratory

■Basic blood studies:

➣plasma retinol <10 mcg/dL

differential diagnosis

n/a

management

n/a

specific therapy

■Vitamin A 10,000–25,000 U/day

Side Effects & Contraindications

■birth defects, dermatitis, dry skin, coarse hair, weakness, pseudotu-

mor cerebri, hepatosplenomegaly, headaches, hypercalcemia

follow-up

n/a

complications and prognosis

■Completely reversible

VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY

ELISABETH RYZEN, MD

history & physical

History

■poor diet, GI disease; pregnancy, lactation, inflammatory diseases,

burns, diarrhea increase requirements

Signs & Symptoms

■Severe=scurvy: poor wound healing, bruising, splinter hemor-

rhages, fractures, abnormal dentin, weakness, myalgias, arthralgias,

swollen gums, lower extremity edema