http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyknox/Death-Certificates/Certs-Html-6/Wombles-Sallie-25406.html
Cause of death is Pellagra
Pellagra is caused by a deficiency in niacin. This can occur in 2 ways:
- Primary pellagra results from inadequate niacin and/or tryptophan in the diet (mainly in developing countries or poverty stricken areas)
- Secondary pellagra occurs when there is enough niacin in the diet but something prevents its absorption and processing. Causes of secondary pellagra include:
- Chronic alcoholism
- Prolonged diarrhoea
- Gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis
- Liver cirrhosis
- Carcinoid tumours
- Hartnup disease (tryptophan metabolism disorder)
- Drugs e.g. isoniazid, azathioprine
What are the signs and symptoms of pellagra?
The classical triad of symptoms are diarrhoea, dermatitis and dementia.
