Vitamin C deficiency presents with which signs?

Vitamin C deficiency presents with which signs?

• A. Osteoporosis
• B. Periosteal hematoma and petechial hemorrhaging
• C. Nail fragility
• D. Osteoarthritis

Answer: (B)

Vitamin C is essential for proper collagen synthesis. Without enough vitamin C, collagen formation is impaired, causing fragile blood vessels and weakness in periosteal tissues. This leads to subperiosteal hematomas in bones and widespread small vessel bleeding manifesting as petechial hemorrhages. That combination—periosteal hematoma with petechiae—is characteristic of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). The other options describe conditions not tied to vitamin C deficiency, such as loss of bone density, nail fragility, or degenerative joint disease, which is why the periosteal hematoma and petechial hemorrhaging is the best answer.