C Deficiency and Risk Definition

The most prominent symptom of ascorbic acid deficiency is scurvy, which is a complex of disorders that result mainly from the decreased ability to synthesize collagen. This lack of collagen synthesis leads to an elevated fragility of the capillar blood system and consequently to bleeding of skin, mucous membranes, organs, 

Ascorbic acid deficiency of infants (Moeller-Barlow disease) is characterized by decreased bone formation. Besides the symptoms that can be observed in ascorbic acid-deficient adults at the onset of the hypovitaminosis, myelofibrosis and enlargements at the epiphyses of long tubular bones and at the costae, mandible, and skull occur. These symptoms can be seen in parenteral nutrition after the sixth month, when the transplacental ascorbic acid pool fades. 

Several physiological and lifestyle factors increase ascorbic acid hypoxemia. This has been reported for the use of contraceptives, pregnancy (see above), aging, infections, trauma, surgical treatment, and cancer. A clear risk for the development of ascorbic acid deficiency has been found repeatedly in smokers (Moreiras et al., 1994). These findings are based on both a decreased intake of vitamin C rich foods by smokers and the increased metabolism and formation of free radicals resulting in excessive exhaustion of ascorbic acid stores. 

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