pellagra

noun

pel·​la·​gra pə-ˈla-grə  -ˈlā-  -ˈlä- 

: a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and dementia and associated with a diet deficient in niacin or tryptophan

In the United States, pellagra continued to be a huge problem through the mid-20th century. From 1906 to 1940, about three million people contracted it and 100,000 of them died. Most were in the South. … Southerners gradually changed their diets to include fortified foods or those containing niacin. By the 50's, pellagra had almost vanished.

—Howard Markel

pellagrous

pə-ˈla-grəs 

-ˈlā-

-ˈlä-

adjective

Examples of pellagra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time of the first White House nutrition conference, in 1969, research focused particularly on isolated vitamins and minerals and their role in nutrient deficiency diseases like rickets and pellagra. —Stephanie Rogus, STAT, 21 Sep. 2022

Often, pellagra is brought on by diets high in corn products and alcohol. —Stanley Stepanic, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2021

Investigations [of] diseases like hookworm and pellagra and attempts to control the spread of malaria, to control mosquitoes, and then gradually take on more and more of these responsibilities. —The Atlantic, 27 May 2021

Malnutrition, pellagra, hookworm, and other parasites were ubiquitous. —Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, 10 May 2019

One of Zuckerman’s graduate students inspected cross-sections of bones to find evidence of pellagra, or vitamin B deficiency. —Washington Post, 23 May 2018

When the first hamster in the group cannibalized its litter, Tissier worried that pellagra was another false lead. —Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018

After six months, all of the prisoners had developed pellagra. —Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018

Doctors quickly eradicated pellagra in the United States and Europe with vitamin B3 supplements and balanced diets. —Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from pelle skin (from Latin pellis) + -agra (as in podagra, from Latin)

First Known Use

circa 1811, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pellagra

noun

pel·​la·​gra pə-ˈlag-rə  -ˈlāg-  -ˈläg- 

: a disease caused by a diet with too little niacin and protein and marked by a skin rash, digestive disorders, and mental symptoms (as irritability and confusion)

Medical Definition

pellagra

noun

pel·​la·​gra pə-ˈlag-rə  -ˈlāg-  -ˈläg- 

: a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and dementia and associated with a diet deficient in niacin or tryptophan compare kwashiorkor

pellagrous

-rəs 

adjective

pellagrous dermatitis