Final answer:
The code for vitamin C deficiency is E54, a water-soluble vitamin essential for collagen synthesis and overall tissue health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The deficiency of vitamin C is reported with the code E54. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a protein necessary for the development and maintenance of blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and bone.
A deficiency in vitamin C leads to a disease called scurvy, characterized by symptoms like fragile capillaries, tendency to hemorrhage, poor wound healing, swollen and decaying gums, poor dentine formation, tooth loss, and weak bones that lead to fractures. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K which can be stored in the body, water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C are not stored in large quantities and must be regularly obtained from the diet to prevent deficiencies.