Progressive Motor Regression in a 3-Year-Old: Dietary Trends Revive an Overlooked Diagnosis

A 3-year-old girl presented with progressive lower extremity motor regression, limb pain, and inability to bear weight, initially suspected to be due to a pinched nerve or hypothyroidism. Despite normal imaging and lab results, her symptoms persisted, leading to a diagnosis of scurvy, a rare condition caused by severe vitamin C deficiency. This was attributed to her selective eating habits and a strict vegan diet, which lacked sufficient vitamin C. After vitamin C supplementation, her symptoms rapidly improved. The case underscores the importance of considering dietary habits in diagnosing nutritional deficiencies and highlights the role of multidisciplinary teams in patient care.