Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017 | 
Pellagra
Vitamin B3 deficiency; Deficiency - niacin; Nicotinic acid deficiency
Pellagra is a disease that occurs when a person does not get enough niacin (one of the B complex vitamins) or tryptophan (an amino acid).
Niacin
Niacin is a type of B vitamin. It is water-soluble, which means it is not stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover a...
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid needed for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It is an essential amino acid. This means your ...
Causes
Pellagra is caused by having too little niacin or tryptophan in the diet. It can also occur if the body fails to absorb these nutrients. It may develop after gastrointestinal diseases or with alcoholism, HIV/AIDS , or anorexia .
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus attacks and weakens the immune ...
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder that causes people lose more weight than is considered healthy for their age and height. People with this disorder may...
The disease is common in parts of the world where people have a lot of corn in their diet.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pellagra include:
- Delusions or mental confusion
- Diarrhea
- Nausea (sometimes)
- Inflamed mucus membranes
- Scaly skin sores
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about the foods you eat.
Tests that may be done include urine tests to check if your body has enough niacin. Blood tests may also be done.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to increase your body's niacin level. You will be prescribed niacin supplements. You may also need to take other supplements. Follow your provider's instructions exactly on how much and how often to take the supplements.
Symptoms due to the pellagra, such as skin sores, will be treated.
If you have conditions that are causing the pellagra, these will also be treated.
Outlook (Prognosis)
People often do well after taking niacin.
Possible Complications
Left untreated, pellagra can result in nerve damage, especially in the brain. Skin sores may become infected.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of pellagra.
Prevention
Pellagra can be prevented by following a well-balanced diet.
Get treated for health problems that may cause pellagra.
References
Brown TM. Pellagra: an old enemy of timeless importance. Psychosomatics . 2010;51:93-97. PMID 20332283 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20332283 .
Crook MA. The importance of recognizing pellagra (niacin deficiency) as it still occurs. Nutrition . 2014;30:729-730. PMID 24679717 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24679717 .
Kumar N. Neurologic presentation of nutritional deficiencies. Neurol Clin . 2010;28:107-170. PMID 19932379 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19932379 .
So YT, Simon RP. Deficiency diseases of the nervous system. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2012:chap 57.
-
Vitamin B3 deficit - illustration
Pellagra is a disease of deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3) which causes problems in the skin and the digestive and nervous systems.
Vitamin B3 deficit
illustration
Review Date: 11/2/2014
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
