A six-year-old boy with Down syndrome died from scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency disease rarely seen in developed nations, according to findings released by a Queensland deputy state coroner. Connor Dean died in August 2024, two years after falling ill.
Scurvy, historically associated with sailors due to prolonged lack of fresh produce, is now uncommon because of the widespread availability of fruits and vegetables. While mild cases are typically treated with dietary changes, the disease can be fatal if left untreated. Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher expressed hope that publicizing her findings would help prevent similar deaths.
Connor, born in 2018, had Trisomy 21 and a heart defect requiring surgery. He experienced developmental delays and limited verbal communication. His parents noted he ate a variety of foods, including fresh produce, until age four-and-a-half, when he became a fussy eater.
A month before his death, Connor was taken to a general practitioner for knee pain, a shuffling gait, and limping, initially attributed to a playground fall. When his condition did not improve, he was hospitalized, where his health rapidly deteriorated. He was resuscitated at one point following a cardiac arrest. In late July 2024, his parents were informed their son likely had severe, life-threatening scurvy.
Connor's life support was withdrawn on August 7, 2024, and he died three days later. His death certificate listed hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, a heart condition stemming from cardiac arrest, as the cause of death, likely brought on by vitamin C deficiency leading to scurvy.
Coroner Gallagher's findings noted that neither parent was aware of a Vitamin C deficiency until after their son's arrest. Prior to his hospitalization, Connor's pediatrician had expressed concerns about his weight and height, noting his diet lacked sufficient calories, vitamins, and minerals for growth. The pediatrician had recommended a dietitian referral and a multivitamin. Six months later, concerns about Connor's diet persisted, described as poor and high in processed foods, though he was offered vegetables at daycare and drank juice with vitamin C. The doctor observed that the multivitamin Connor was taking contained only small amounts of vitamin C.
Gallagher concluded that no further coronial inquiry was necessary, stating that publishing the findings was sufficient to draw attention to the case and prevent future deaths. She extended condolences to Connor's family.