Selenium deficiency and scurvy due to an imbalanced diet of snacks and lacto-fermenting drinks: a case report of a 7-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: There have been reports of isolated trace elements or vitamin deficiencies due to imbalanced diets, but no cases of selenium deficiency combined with scurvy have been reported.

Case Presentation: A 7 year-old boy diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder and mild psychomotor retardation, started an imbalanced diet including specific snacks and lacto-fermenting drinks from 5 years of age. Gingival hemorrhage and perioral erosions occurred at 6 years and 8 months of age, and he was referred to our hospital at 7 years of age.