pellagra
noun
pel·la·gra
pə-ˈla-grə 
-ˈlā-
-ˈlä-
-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
Howard MarkelExamples of pellagra in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The region was a hotbed for the disease, with almost half of all deaths in Italy due to pellagra at the end of the 19th century occurring in Veneto.
—Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
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
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Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Pellagra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pellagra. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pellagra
noun
pel·la·gra
pə-ˈlag-rə
-ˈlāg-
-ˈläg-
-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-
-ˈlāg-
-ˈläg-
: a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and dementia and associated with a diet deficient in niacin or tryptophan compare kwashiorkor
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