In a village, it is observed that several farmers have crossed gait and use a stick for support to stand up and walk. Due to poor yield from farms, they consume meals containing rice and pulses only. Supplementing their diet with which of the following vitamins could have prevented this?

Options

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin D
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin B

Correct Answer

Vitamin C

Explanation

The clinical presentation describes Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) with specific musculoskeletal manifestations: 1) Crossed gait and difficulty standing suggests perifollicular hemorrhages and hemarthrosis, 2) Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, 3) Deficiency causes: bleeding gums, perifollicular hemorrhages, petechiae, poor wound healing, bone pain, 4) Diet of rice and pulses lacks fresh fruits and vegetables (sources of Vitamin C). The "crossed gait" likely refers to antalgic gait due to joint/bone pain from subperiosteal hemorrhage. Treatment: Vitamin C supplementation, dietary modification.

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