Economic Stain Drives Child Scurvy Surge in France

A team from Robert Debré Hospital, part of the Assistance Publique — Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) group in Paris, France, conducted a study on the rising incidence of scurvy by examining hospitalization trends among children in France, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 9-year population-based study revealed a concerning increase in hospitalizations for scurvy and severe malnutrition following the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers noted that this increase appears to correlate with the economic challenges and social adversities exacerbated by the pandemic. The findings indicated that children aged 5-10 years, particularly girls, were the most affected.

The study underscores the reality that diseases once considered largely eradicated can reemerge during periods of economic hardship, stressing the critical importance of preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Scurvy, historically associated with sailors during the Renaissance, is reemerging in high-income countries, including France and other parts of Europe. This serious condition, caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, can be fatal if left untreated.

Vitamin C deficiency is associated with several risk factors, including financial insecurity, bariatric surgery, anorexia, and alcoholism.

Hospitalization Trends

The study analyzed the national health data of 888 children under 18 years of age hospitalized for scurvy in France between January 2015 and November 2023. The average age of the affected children was 11 years. The primary focus was on tracking monthly hospitalization rates for scurvy, with malnutrition as a secondary objective.

Incidence of Hospitalizations

The incidence of hospitalizations for scurvy in France increased slightly but steadily between 2015 and 2020 by 0.05% per month. The slope became significantly steeper during the COVID-19 pandemic, climbing by 1.9% per month. By the end of the observation period, this represented a total increase of 34.5%.

This post-COVID increase was most significant in children aged 5-10 years, who experienced a 200% increase in hospitalization rates. Girls were disproportionately affected, with hospitalizations rising by 66% over the same period.

A similar upward trend was observed in hospitalization rates for severe malnutrition, particularly among children aged 11-17 years, which increased by 20%. Meanwhile, hospitalization rates for other conditions, such as urinary tract infections used as a control, remained unchanged.

The post-COVID increase in scurvy hospitalizations is likely linked to growing socioeconomic challenges, such as a higher proportion of children qualifying for Couverture Maladie Universelle, a healthcare program in France designed to support low-income families by providing essential medical coverage. Rising food prices may have further contributed to nutritional deficiencies, increasing the risk for conditions like scurvy.

This story was translated fromUnivadis France using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.