Pellagra facts for kids

Pellagra is a disease that happens when your body doesn't get enough niacin. Niacin is also known as vitamin B3. It's a very important vitamin found in many foods we eat. If someone has pellagra and doesn't get help, it can be very serious and even lead to death. The main signs of pellagra are often called "the four D's": diarrhea, dermatitis (a skin problem), dementia (problems with thinking), and death.

What is Pellagra?

Pellagra is a health problem caused by a lack of niacin, which is a type of B vitamin. Our bodies need niacin to turn food into energy and to keep our skin, nerves, and digestion working well. When someone doesn't get enough niacin, these important body parts start to have trouble.

What Causes Pellagra?

The main reason people get pellagra is not having enough niacin in their diet. This can happen if:

• They don't eat enough foods that have niacin.
• Their body can't properly use the niacin they eat. This can sometimes happen if they have other health problems.

Historically, pellagra was common in places where people ate mostly corn (maize) that wasn't prepared in a special way. Corn has niacin, but it's in a form that the body can't easily use unless it's treated with alkali (like lime water).

Signs of Pellagra: The Four D's

The most common signs of pellagra are remembered as "the four D's":

• Diarrhea: This means having frequent, watery bowel movements. It can make a person feel very weak and dehydrated.
• Dermatitis: This is a skin problem. It often looks like a sunburn, especially on parts of the body exposed to the sun, like the hands, arms, face, and neck. The skin can become red, rough, scaly, and sometimes even blister.
• Dementia: This refers to problems with the brain. People might have trouble thinking clearly, remembering things, or concentrating. They might also feel confused, irritable, or even sad.
• Death: If pellagra is not treated, it can become very severe and eventually lead to death.

How is Pellagra Treated and Prevented?

Luckily, pellagra is usually easy to treat and prevent.

• Treatment: The main treatment is to give the person niacin supplements. Doctors also make sure the person eats a healthy diet rich in niacin.
• Prevention: Eating a balanced diet that includes foods rich in niacin is the best way to prevent pellagra. Good sources of niacin include:

* Meat (like chicken and beef) * Fish * Peanuts * Mushrooms * Avocados * Whole grains * Fortified cereals (cereals that have extra vitamins added)

In places where corn is a main food, using traditional ways to prepare it (like soaking it in lime water) can help prevent pellagra by making the niacin in the corn easier for the body to use.

History of Pellagra

Pellagra was a big problem in some parts of the world, especially in the southern United States, in the early 1900s. Many people became sick because their diets lacked enough niacin.

A doctor named Joseph Goldberger played a very important role in understanding pellagra. In the early 20th century, he did research that showed pellagra was caused by a poor diet, not by an infection. His work helped people understand how to prevent and treat the disease, saving many lives.

Images for kids

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  Dr. Joseph Goldberger was a doctor who studied pellagra.

See also

In Spanish: Pelagra para niños