LATHYRISM

INTRODUCTION
• It is a paralysing disease of Humans and disease.
Humans
 In humans it is referred to as Neurolathyrism.

It affects nervous system in our body.

ANIMALS
• It is referred to as OSTEOLATHYRISM or
ODARATISM.

• Because pathological changes occurs in bones

results in skeletal deformity.
NEUROLATHYRISM
• It is a crippling disease of Nervous system

• Gradually developing spastic paralysis of Lower

limbs.

• It affects mostly in adults (who consuming the

pulse)
THE PULSE
• LATHYRUS SATIVUS or KHESARI DHAL
• Local name
• Teora dhal
• Lak dhal
• Batra
• Matra etc...
• It is a Triangular in shape.
• Grey in colour.
When dehusked the pulse looks similar to Red
gram dhal or Bengal gram dhal.
Good source of proteins.
Studies have shown that diets containing over
30%of this dhal if taken over a period of 2-
6months will results in Neurolathyrism.
THE TOXINS
• BOAA -BETA OXALYL AMINO ALANINE

• It has been isolated in crystalline form and is

water soluble.

• Soaking it in hot water

• Removing the toxin from the pulse.

THE DISEASE
• Age grp 15-45yrs

• Four stages

• A)Latent stage

• B)No stick stage

• C)one sick stage

• D)Two stick stage

• E)Crawler stage
A)LATENT STAGE
• Patient is apparently healthy But when subjected
to physical stress exhibits UNGAINLY GAIT

• This stage is considered important from

preventive aspect.

• In this stage pulse is withdraw from the diet,it

will results in complete remission of the
disease.
B)No stick stage
• Patient walks with short jerky Steps or Limping
gait, without the aid of a stick.
C)ONE STICK STAGE

• Pt walks with a crossed with a tendency to

walk on toes.

• Muscular stiffness makes it necessary to use a

stick to maintain balance.
D)TWO STICK STAGE

• Symptoms are more severe.

• Due to excessive bending of knees and crossed

legs,the patient needs two crutches for

support.
E) CRAWLER STAGE
• The erect posture becomes impossible as the
knee joints cannot support the weight of the
body.

• Atrophy of the thigh and leg muscles.

• The patient is reduced to crawling by throwing his

weight on his hands.
INTERVENTIONS

1.VITAMIN C PROPHYLAXIS

2.BANNING THE CROP

3.REMOVAL OF TOXINS

4.GENETIC APPROACH

5.SOCIO ECONOMIC CHANGES

1.VITAMIN C PROPHYLAXIS
• Daily administration of 500-1000mg of ascorbic
acid for a week or so
2.BANNING THE CROPS

• This is an extreme step not feasible for

immediate implementation.

• The prevention of food adulteration act in india

has banned lathyrus in all forms whole,split or
floor.
3.REMOVAL OF TOXIN
A)STEEPING METHOD

Toxins are water soluble that can be removed by

soaking the pulse in hot water for 2 hours and
soaked water is drained off then
dried in the sun.
DISADVANTAGES-Entire loss of vitamins and
minerals.
2.PARBOILING
• Simple soaking in lime water overnight followed

by boiling destroy the toxin.

• This treatment also destroys trypsin inhibitors.

3.EDUCATION
• Public must be educated on the dangers of
consuming this pulse.
4.GENETIC APPROACH
• Certain strains of lathyrus contain very low

levels of toxin(0.1%)

• Selective propagation and cultivation of such

strains may be the most effective way to

eradicate lathyrism.
5.SOCIO ECONOMIC CHANGES

• In the final analysis ,it is only socio economic

changes or development that can root out

lathyrism.