Question

Symptoms of lathyrism is/are
A) Bone deformation
B) Muscular dystrophy and paralysis
C) Asphyxia
D) Cardiac arrest

Answer 1

Hint: Neurolathyrism, osteolathyrism and angiolathyrism are the three types of lathyrism. The symptoms and affected organs of each of the types are different. In neurolathyrism, the nervous system is affected. In osteolathyrism, there are disorders in the skeletal system. In angiolathyrism, the collagen present in the capillaries is affected.

Complete answer:
lathyrism is a neurotoxic disorder that is caused due to the overconsumption of chickpea seeds. Certain species of chickpea that belong to the genus Lathyrus (grass pea) are responsible for the disease. It can occur in both humans and animals. The disease is caused due to the presence of a major toxin called neurotoxin 3-N-oxalyl-L-2 3-diaminopropanoic acid in the seeds of Lathyrus.

Individuals suffering from the disease have common symptoms like weakness, fatigue, muscular dystrophy of legs and paralysis of legs. It also causes thinning of bones. Sometimes, there is pain, cramps and numbness in sensory organs. Persons suffering from the disease urinate more frequently at night.
In lathyrism, bones are affected but bone deformation does not occur.

Thus the answer to the above question is Muscular dystrophy and paralysis. The person suffering from lathyrism feels muscular weakness due to muscular dystrophy. Paralysis of the legs is also common among individuals suffering from this disease.

Hence the final answer is option ‘B’.

Note: Lathyrism is a non-curable, irreversible disease. It is more prevalent in south Asia and forms an important part of the diet during adverse climatic conditions. The treatment of the disease is based on the symptoms that appeared and the diet. The disease can be prevented by the consumption of grains of chickling pea in which sulphur-based amino acids are present in large amounts.