The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 24, 108-112, Copyright © 1977 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Gastroesophageal reflux and ascorbic acid insufficiency
CA Hiebert
The incidental discovery of scurvy in a patient with a symptomatic hiatal
hernia has led to the identification of 9 other individuals with chemically
proved vitamin C deficiency secondary to an expressed aversion to "acid"
food in any form. These patients were screened with capillary fragility
tests and serum ascorbic acid determinations from approximately 200 hiatal
hernia and reflux patients. With resumption of a normal vitamin C intake,
scattered deficiency symptoms disappeared and both capillary fragility
tests and serum ascorbic acid levels returned toward normal. There were no
wound healing problems.