'I never thought I would see this' - scurvy makes a comeback in Wales
Cases of scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, are rising among children and young people in Wales, a doctor has warned. Dana Beasley, Wales deputy officer at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said it is "tragic".
Scurvy can leave patients feeling tired, weak and with joint pain. They can have swollen, bleeding gums and lose their teeth. There are also knock-on issues caused to skin.
Dr Beasley told the Senedd's health committee: "I never thought I would see this in my lifetime as a paediatrician in a developed country, I've seen children with vitamin C deficiency: scurvy. This is something out of books from pirate stories long, long ago.
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"We have seen children in Wales with vitamin C deficiency, it's tragic. Vitamin C deficiency is rare but I've seen it, there's been several cases but vitamin D deficiency is more frequent. It's heartbreaking to see because our children are not well – we're already robbing them of a healthy adult life before they even start school."
In September, a medical journal warned scurvy – a disease which, if untreated, can lead to potentially fatal bleeding – is re-emerging due to the cost of living and poor diets. Giving evidence to a health committee inquiry on obesity, Dr Beasley pointed to 2021 research which found Welsh children are among the least fit in the world.
Wales received an 'F' in the study of 60 countries and the paediatrician warned 'so many children' are deficient in vitamin D due to malnutrition and a lack of outdoor activity. She said: "Children over five and young people should move for an hour a day every day but research has shown that probably 20% of boys maybe do that and 14% of girls. That's shocking, absolutely shocking." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Dr Beasley told Senedd members: "Cwm Taf's got the biggest obesity rates [but] hasn't got any sustained level two or three obesity services. Hywel Dda, that's got the biggest rate of overweight children with about 28%, hasn't got any services at all. That's not right.'
Rocio Cifuentes, the children's commissioner for Wales, pointed to a Food Foundation report showing 1,000 calories of healthy food costs £8.80 compared with £4.30 for unhealthy food. "Healthy food currently is more expensive and that is a reality that parents who are struggling will have to grapple with and will have to make unhealthier choices. They will be forced to – their financial circumstances will dictate that."
She told the committee: 'Overall, there's huge evidence that screen time is increasing for children and young people, and that it's having a really detrimental impact on their physical health, mental health, education and social skills.'
More than a quarter of children aged four or five in Wales are overweight or obese, according to latest statistics for 2022/23. The children's commissioner warned of a 'deprivation gap', with children from the poorest postcode areas significantly more likely to be overweight or obese.
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