1/3. Confluent ecchymoses on the lower extremities of a malnourished patient.Nutritional deficiencies result in many distinctive cutaneous manifestations. Vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, produces follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular hemorrhages, gingival hypertrophy, and bleeding (1). We report here a case of malnutrition who suddenly developed extensive eccymoses on the lower extremities sharing morphological similarities with purpura fulminans. Although the patient did not have the characteristic dermatological features of scurvy, serum levels of vitamins C, K, B12, and E were decreased.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = malnutrition (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Laboratory measurements of nutritional status as correlates of atrophic glossitis.OBJECTIVE: To perform a comprehensive laboratory assessment of nutritional status in two elderly patients selected for the presence of atrophic glossitis, a classic physical sign of malnutrition. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Inpatient internal medicine ward at the William S. Middleton Memorial veterans Medical Center, Madison, wisconsin. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: blood specimens were analyzed by the Nutrition Evaluation Laboratory at the USDA Human Nutrition research Center on aging at Tufts University. Both subjects had biochemical evidence of protein-calorie malnutrition and were deficient or marginally deficient in several vitamins and trace minerals. CONCLUSIONS: Much work needs to be done to determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the classic physical signs of malnutrition as predictors of low biochemical levels and adverse clinical outcomes. The presence of atrophic glossitis should prompt the clinician to consider a basic nutritional assessment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = malnutrition (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Vitamin deficiency in the elderly.The oral manifestations of vitamin deficiencies are often the first indications of malnutrition. This is especially true among the elderly, whose more frequent physical and/or psychological disorders may prevent them from eating a balanced diet. The following is a guide to the dentist, who is often the first health professional to recognize nutritional deficiencies in this age group.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = malnutrition (Clic here for more details about this article) |