Scurvy, an ancient disease that causes tooth loss, is making an alarming comeback among children in the United States, with an alarming increase in cases in recent years, according to recent data.
An ancient disease that causes tooth loss is spreading rapidly among children PHOTO ARCHIVE
Scurvy, a disease that dates back to 3800 BC. in Egypt and which was considered extinct in the 1900s when it was found that a healthy, balanced diet seemed to prevent it, made a comeback in the 1970s when the American diet became higher in carbohydrates and less dependent on fresh fruits and vegetables , according to the National Library of Medicine. Scurvy is caused by insufficient vitamin C in the diet over a long period of time, reports the Daily Star.
Symptoms include swollen and bleeding gums, and in some cases the disease can lead to tooth loss. Affected people also develop red or bluish patches on the skin, usually on the legs and soles, and may feel irritable and sad, according to the NHS.
Now, data has shown that the rate of scurvy has tripled between 2016 and 2020 among American children, from about eight in every 100,000 children to nearly 27. Food deserts—neighborhoods where access to healthy, fresh food is limited—are common in rural America, with millions of children living in them, making them particularly vulnerable.
Increase in eating problems
Food insecurity is on the rise in the US, with 17% of American households with children experiencing food insecurity – a 40% increase from the previous year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). More than half a million deaths per year are linked to nutritional deficiencies.
But one expert says it’s not just diet that’s responsible for the return of scurvy, pointing to the growing number of children with severe neurodevelopmental disorders.
“As we have more premature babies surviving earlier, like those at 23 or 24 weeks’ gestation – which is quite early compared to the normal 40 weeks – the more babies are at risk, such as cerebral palsy or other developmental delays, and this can also be associated with feeding difficulties”said Dr. Stephanie Gilley of Children’s Hospital Colorado
“There are many processed foods that tend to be cheaper and may contain vitamin C,” she said. “Children’s needs are very small, especially when they’re babies. We know that food insecurity certainly contributes to how people eat, but in our Colorado cohort, we didn’t see that.”
