Six-year-old boy died from scurvy despite long term concerns over diet, Queensland coroner finds
A Queensland coroner has determined that a six-year-old boy with Down syndrome died from scurvy, a rare vitamin C deficiency. The inquest highlighted concerns regarding the child's long-term diet and the failure to identify the condition before his fatal cardiac arrest.
Why it matters
The case raises significant questions about pediatric healthcare, nutritional monitoring for children with disabilities, and the rarity of historical diseases in modern medicine.
Connor Dean was admitted to Queensland Children’s Hospital on 18 July 2024. Photograph: Rhett Wyman/AAP Connor Dean was admitted to Queensland Children’s Hospital on 18 July 2024. Photograph: Rhett Wyman/AAP Queensland Six-year-old boy died from scurvy despite long term concerns over diet, Queensland coroner finds Coroner says death likely triggered by vitamin C deficiency and so‑called “sailor’s disease” common in convict era
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Prefer the Guardian on Google A six-year-old boy died from scurvy, the so‑called “sailor’s disease” common in the convict era, a coroner has found.
Brisbane boy Connor Dean died after a cardiac arrest under general anaesthetic at Queensland children’s hospital in 2024.
Deputy state coroner Stephanie Gallagher released her findings last month, ruling his fatal brain damage was most likely triggered by vitamin C deficiency and scurvy.
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