An affection of the skin, characterized by redness, especially in exposed areas, scaling and shedding of the skin, and accompanied with severe gastrointestinal disturbance and nervous symptoms. It is due to a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3; nicotinic acid) and protein in the diet, and may be caused by malnutrition, or, in some cases, by a heavy dependence on maize for food. It was at one time (ca. 1890) endemic in Northern Italy, and was called Alpine scurvy. It may also be caused by alcoholism or diease causing an impairment of nutrition. It is also called St. Ignatius's itch, maidism, mal de la rosa, mal rosso, and psychoneurosis maidica. A variety of pellagra seen in children is called infantile pellagra or kwashiorkor.
a severe niacin deficiency disease characterized by the three D's: dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. This disease can also be caused by a lack of nutrients needed to transform the amino acid tryptophan into niacin (vitamin B3). At least three other vitamins (thiamin, pyridoxine and riboflavin) are necessary for the conversion into niacin.
A clinical condition caused by niacin deficiency and characterized by tissue damage, chiefly of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and nerves. The most striking symptom is a reddish skin rash, especially on the face, hands, and feet when exposed to sunlight. Other associated disorders include inflamed membranes in the digestive tract with bloody diarrhea and distressing nervous and mental disturbances (hence "the 3 Ds" of pellagra: dermatitis, diarrhea, and depression or dementia).
(paraphrased from Fowler & Fowler) A disease characterised by cracking of the skin and often resulting in insanity.
a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments
a condition resulting from a deficiency of niacin and characterized by dermatitis, inflammation of mucous membranes, diarrhea, and psychic disturbances.
a disease caused by deficiency in niacin; severe deficiency is associated with painful swelling of the tongue and mucous membranes throughout the body and dermatitis; more prevalent in poorly nourished alcoholics.
A deficiency disease caused by a serious lack of niacin.
Disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B-l). Symptoms include diarrhea, skin inflammation and dementia (brain disturbance).
A disease marked by inflammation of the skin, gastrointestinal, nervous and mental disorders. Associated with a diet deficient in niacin.
Related Topic"A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (B1), usually occurring in alcoholics or in persons with malabsorption disorders..."
Lassitude, torpor, dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death brought about by a diet deficient in tryptophan and niacin.
Disease caused by a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B-3). Symptoms include diarrhea, skin inflammation, and dementia (brain disturbance).
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by dietary lack of niacin (vitamin B3) and protein, especially proteins containing the essential amino acid tryptophan. Because tryptophan can be converted into niacin, foods with tryptophan but without niacin, such as milk, prevent pellagra. However, if dietary tryptophan is diverted into protein production, niacin deficiency may still result.