A 3-year-old child with symptoms of stomatitis, gingivitis and dermatitis of open skin areas was delivered to a hospital. Examination revealed inherited disturbance of neutral amino acid transporting in the bowels. These symptoms were caused by the deficiency of the following vitamin:

Answer options

1. Biotin
2. Vitamin A
3. Niacin
4. Pantothenic acid
5. Cobalamin

Explanation

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, PP) has its coenzymes as NAD+, NADP+ derived from tryptophan. Its deficiency causes pellagra (vitamin PP deficiency). Pellagra is a disease caused by low levels of niacin, also known as vitamin B-3. It's marked by dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis, also known as the three Ds. If left untreated.