Among these cases, more than 500 were recorded between 2020 and 2023, after the Covid-19 pandemic. Linked to a vitamin C deficiency, scurvy appears following malnutrition problems. The increase in prices linked to the pandemic as well as the crisis following the war in Ukraine may have intensified the resurgence of this disease, causing economic difficulties for many families.
Scurvy was common among sailors on major expeditions from the 16th century, but had almost disappeared since the beginning of the 20th century. “The worrying return of this disease highlights the possible consequences of the increase in socio-economic insecurity since 2020 on the nutritional status of children in France,” indicates the study.
“Disease from another time”
“It’s a disease from another time. Seeing cases of scurvy again was truly surprising and unexpected. We should not encounter this disease in children living in France,” warns professor and doctor Ulrich Meinzer, one of the study coordinators, speaking to BFMTV.
Various symptoms are associated with this disease, including significant fatigue, muscle pain, bleeding from the gums which can lead to loose teeth.
Are vitamin treatments really useful?
They have the appearance of medicines, are often sold in pharmacies, are widely cited for their “anti-sluggish” virtues in advertisements… Whether they are pills, sachets of powder, effervescent tablets, what are they really worth? vitamin cures?
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