Vitamin B3 deficiency; Deficiency - niacin; Nicotinic acid deficiency DefinitionPellagra is a disease that occurs when a person does not get enough niacin (one of the B complex vitamins) or tryptophan (an amino acid). CausesPellagra is caused by having too little niacin or tryptophan in the diet. It can also occur if the body fails to absorb these nutrients. Pellagra may also develop due to:
Pellagra is most common among poor and food-limited populations. The disease is more common in parts of the world (such as certain parts of Africa) where people have a lot of untreated corn in their diet. Corn is a poor source of tryptophan, and niacin in corn is tightly bound to other components of the grain. Niacin is released from corn if soaked in limewater overnight. This method is used to cook tortillas in Central America where pellagra is rare. Pellagra is rare in the United States and may be associated with severe alcoholism or medical causes of malnutrition. SymptomsSymptoms of pellagra include:
Exams and TestsYour 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. TreatmentThe 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 ComplicationsLeft untreated, pellagra can result in nerve damage, particularly in the brain and death. Skin sores may become infected. When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalContact your provider if you have any symptoms of pellagra. PreventionPellagra can be prevented by following a well-balanced diet. Get treated for health problems that may cause pellagra. ReferencesElia M, Lanham-New SA, Kok K. Nutrition. In: Feather A, Randall D, Waterhouse M, eds. Kumar and Clarke's Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 33. Meisenberg G, Simmons WH. Micronutrients. In: Meisenberg G, Simmons WH, eds. Principles of Medical Biochemistry. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 31. So YT. Deficiency diseases of the nervous system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 85. | |
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Review Date: 10/25/2022 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
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Vitamin B3 deficit
