Pediatric Pellagra Follow-up

Updated: Oct 04, 2018
  • Author: Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD, FAAP; Chief Editor: Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS, FAAP  more...
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Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • If pellagra is diagnosed and treated appropriately, the prognosis for recovery is excellent.

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