Which symptoms can result from vitamin C deficiency?

Vitamin C deficiency leads to a condition known as scurvy, which arises because the body requires this vitamin for the synthesis of collagen, a vital structural protein in connective tissues.123

Initial symptoms typically include:
* Fatigue12
* Soreness and stiffness in the joints and lower extremities123

As the deficiency progresses, more severe clinical manifestations appear, including:
* Swollen and bleeding gums, which may lead to loosened teeth123
* Pinpoint hemorrhages (petechiae) under the skin and in deep tissues13
* Impaired or slow wound healing123
* Anemia and changes in personality1

In infants, deficiency can cause swelling and pain in the lower extremities and lesions of the growing bones. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal due to complications from infection or internal bleeding.1