Over a period of nine years, the researchers analyzed data from the national medicalization system (PMSI), covering two distinct periods: 2015-2020 (pre-pandemic) and 2020-2023 (post-pandemic). Among the 888 children hospitalized for scurvy, the increase in cases is accompanied bya 20.3% increase in cases of severe malnutrition.
This resurgence reflects the worsening of food inequalities, exacerbated by insecurity and inflation (+15% at the start of 2023). Although no direct causality has been proven, researchers judge this “plausible” correlation, pointing the combined effects of the pandemic and global socio-economic crises.
Caused by a prolonged deficiency in vitamin C, scurvy can cause muscle weakness, joint pain, hemorrhages, even fatal heart failure without treatment. Disappeared in developed countries since the 20th century, this disease is today an alarming indicator of the deterioration of the nutritional status of children.
The experts make three key recommendations:
Foods rich in vitamin C (kiwi, citrus fruits, peppers, cabbage) remain essential to prevent this pathology.
Led by Inserm and hospitals like Robert-Debré, this study calls for rapid action to stop the re-emergence of scurvy, a symbol of growing food inequalities in a context of economic crisis.
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