Pellagra: A forgotten ailment in current clinical practice

Abstract

We rarely come across deficiency of niacin in the current clinical practice. Deficiency of niacin (Vitamin B3) leads to pellagra with constellation of symptoms affecting gut, skin, and nervous system. We present a case of nutritional deficiency of niacin presenting as pellagra in a 45-year-old female. The patient was treated successfully with Vitamin B3 supplementation. Pellagra shall be considered in differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea when associated with skin lesions affecting sun-exposed areas.

Keywords

• Niacin
• pellagra
• Vitamin B3