Scurvy & Rickets
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 7.1.3
Diseases Caused by Nutritional Deficiencies
The following diseases are caused by not getting enough of a certain food or nutrient:
Scurvy
- Scurvy is caused by a vitamin C deficiency.
- The body can't make enough collagen which can lead to bleeding and swollen gums, tiredness and muscle pain.
Rickets
- When children don't get enough vitamin D when they are growing, they can get rickets, where bones are malformed.
- If adults don't get enough vitamin D, they can experience tiredness, and they can get severe bone pain called osteomalacia.
Test yourself on Scurvy & Rickets
Which deficiency would most likely cause bleeding gums, tiredness and muscle pain?
What causes rickets?