1. A disease caused by deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3), characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and other symptoms.
Usage: Medical term; historically common in populations with poor nutrition or diets heavily dependent on corn.

Examples

• Pellagra was once a serious public health problem in the southern United States.
• The disease pellagra can be prevented by ensuring adequate intake of niacin-rich foods.
• Doctors recognized pellagra by its distinctive skin lesions and neurological symptoms.
• Pellagra became less common after niacin was added to enriched grain products.
• The four Ds—dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death—were historically associated with pellagra.