Pellagra: The Deficiency Disease Behind the 4 D's
•
4 min read
Historically, pellagra was mistaken for an infectious disease, with the first major outbreak reported in 1907 in the American South. It is now understood that pellagra is the deficiency disease producing the symptoms known as the 4 D's: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death. This condition is caused by a severe lack of niacin (vitamin B3) or its precursor, tryptophan.
