Pediatric Pellagra Follow-up

  • Author: Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS   more...
 
Updated: Jul 8, 2010
 

Further Inpatient Care

  • Patients with acute cases of pellagra require bed rest during the initial phase of treatment.
  • Patients with severe glossitis require a liquid or a soft solid diet to overcome the dysphagia.
  • Various high-calorie drinks rich in protein and B vitamins (including niacin).
  • Topical management of skin lesions with emollients may reduce discomfort.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • Avoid sun exposure during active phase of the disease.
  • Close dietary follow-up of the patient upon recovery helps prevent recurrence of pellagra.
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Complications

  • Dermatitis of pellagra can be distressing and disfiguring. Denudation of the vesiculated and blistered skin lesions can potentially become secondarily infected.
  • Severe glossitis causes dysphagia.
  • GI involvement leads to a malabsorptive state.
  • Depression, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations, and coma are the neuropsychiatric complications observed among patients with pellagra.
  • The malnourished state associated with pellagra results in death if untreated.
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Prognosis

  • If pellagra is diagnosed and treated appropriately, the prognosis for recovery is excellent.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD  Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, New York Medical College; Chairman, Chief and Medical Administrator, Department of Pediatrics, Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Richmond University Medical Center

Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, New York Academy of Sciences, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Valeriya Feygina, MD, PhD  Resident Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Richmond University Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sujana Reddy, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island

Sujana Reddy, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF  Professor of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Downstate, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physician Executives, American Gastroenterological Association, American Pediatric Society, Gastroenterology Research Group, New York Academy of Medicine, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Curemark, LLC Consulting fee Board membership; Centocor, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Johnson & Johnson, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS  Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia

Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Dietetic Association, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS  Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia

Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Dietetic Association, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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