What is a prolonged deficiency of vitamin C may result in quizlet?

December 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C deficiency still affects a small percentage of people in developed countries, leading to significant health issues. A prolonged deficiency of vitamin C may result in the debilitating disease known as scurvy, which affects connective tissue, bone health, and overall immunity.

Quick Summary

A chronic lack of vitamin C, essential for collagen synthesis and immune function, causes scurvy, leading to connective tissue weakness, bleeding gums, impaired wound healing, and anemia. This condition is treatable with vitamin C supplementation and dietary changes.

Key Points

Scurvy: A prolonged vitamin C deficiency can result in scurvy, a disease characterized by widespread connective tissue weakness.
Impaired Collagen Synthesis: Without enough vitamin C, the body cannot produce stable collagen, leading to fragile blood vessels, skin, bones, and gums.
Symptoms of Scurvy: Advanced signs include easy bruising, bleeding gums, poor wound healing, joint pain, and anemia.
Who is at Risk: Those with alcoholism, restricted diets, malnutrition, and certain medical conditions are most susceptible to vitamin C deficiency.
Treatment is Simple: Scurvy is easily treated with vitamin C supplements and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, leading to rapid symptom improvement.
Impact on Immunity: Vitamin C is vital for immune function; a deficiency increases the risk of serious infections.

What Happens During a Prolonged Vitamin C Deficiency?

A prolonged deficiency of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, results in a cascade of health problems primarily due to its role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is the body's most abundant protein and is crucial for the structure of blood vessels, skin, bones, and gums. Without sufficient vitamin C, the body cannot produce stable collagen, leading to the characteristic symptoms of scurvy.

The Body's Breakdown: A Deeper Look

Impaired Collagen Production: Vitamin C acts as a necessary cofactor for the enzymes prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase, which are vital for forming the stable triple-helix structure of collagen. When vitamin C levels are low, defective collagen is produced, compromising the integrity of tissues throughout the body.
Vascular Fragility and Hemorrhage: The weakened collagen leads to fragile capillaries and blood vessels. This results in widespread bleeding, including easy bruising, perifollicular hemorrhages (small, red-blue spots around hair follicles), and bleeding into joints and under the skin. In severe cases, internal bleeding can occur, affecting various organs.
Compromised Immune Function: Vitamin C accumulates in immune cells to help them combat infection. A prolonged deficiency is linked to poor immune responses and a higher risk of infection, as seen in patients with scurvy who are susceptible to severe illnesses like pneumonia.
Increased Oxidative Stress: As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. Chronic deficiency leads to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which are contributing factors in many chronic diseases.

The Advanced Symptoms of Scurvy

Beyond the initial signs of fatigue and irritability, severe vitamin C deficiency progresses to more specific and advanced symptoms.

Oral Manifestations: Bleeding, swollen, and spongy gums are a classic sign of advanced scurvy. The gums may turn purple or black, and the weakened tissue can cause teeth to loosen and fall out.

Skin and Hair Changes: The skin becomes dry, rough, and scaly due to impaired collagen production. Hair can become brittle, dry, and grow in a bent or coiled 'corkscrew' shape due to defects in the protein structure. Previously healed wounds may reopen and new ones will not heal properly.

Musculoskeletal Problems: Connective tissue breakdown leads to severe joint pain and swelling, sometimes painful enough to cause limping. Subperiosteal hemorrhages (bleeding under the membrane covering bones) can cause excruciating pain, particularly in the legs. In children, bone growth can be impaired.

Anemia: Prolonged vitamin C deficiency can cause iron-deficiency anemia due to impaired iron absorption and increased bleeding. This leads to pallor, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

Comparison of Early vs. Advanced Deficiency Symptoms


Symptom	Early Deficiency (1–3 months)	Advanced Deficiency (3+ months)
Energy Levels	Fatigue, weakness, malaise, and irritability.	Severe lethargy and listlessness.
Joints and Muscles	Vague muscle and joint aches.	Severe, debilitating joint pain and swelling, often causing limping.
Skin Condition	Dry, rough skin, easy bruising, and petechiae (tiny red spots).	Follicular hyperkeratosis ('chicken skin'), significant bruising, and reopened old wounds.
Gums and Teeth	Mild gum inflammation and bleeding.	Gums become swollen, purple, spongy, and may lead to tooth loss.
Immunity	Decreased ability to fight infections.	Poor immunity leading to serious infections like pneumonia.
Mood	Irritability and poor mood.	Depression and other emotional changes.

Conclusion

While severe vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, is rare in developed countries today, it can still occur in at-risk populations. A prolonged deficiency can lead to a range of severe symptoms affecting the skin, gums, bones, and immune system, which are often mistakenly attributed to other conditions. Fortunately, with early recognition and proper treatment—consisting of vitamin C supplementation and a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables—symptoms can resolve quickly and complete recovery is highly likely. Understanding the signs and seeking medical advice is crucial for preventing long-term complications. For additional reading on the importance of vitamin C, visit the National Institutes of Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary disease caused by a prolonged deficiency of vitamin C is scurvy, a condition resulting from defective collagen synthesis throughout the body.

Symptoms of scurvy typically develop after a few months (usually three or more) of insufficient vitamin C intake.

Yes, a prolonged deficiency of vitamin C can affect bones by impairing collagen formation, leading to fragile, brittle bones and an increased risk of fractures.

Yes, a deficiency can cause bleeding, swollen, and spongy gums. In advanced cases, the weakening connective tissue can lead to tooth loosening and loss.

Yes, fatigue and general weakness are among the earliest and most common signs of vitamin C deficiency.

In extremely rare and untreated cases, severe scurvy can lead to fatal complications such as hemorrhage or infection.

Scurvy is treated with vitamin C supplementation, which can rapidly resolve symptoms, combined with a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.