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Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Author(s) -
PerafánRiveros Claudia,
França Luis Fernando Sayago,
Alves Ana Cristina Fortes,
Sanches José Antônio
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1470.2002.00200.x
Subject(s) - acrodermatitis enteropathica , medicine , acrodermatitis , zinc , gastrointestinal tract , dermatology , diarrhea , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , weaning , gastroenterology , pathology , micronutrient , materials science , alternative medicine , metallurgy
Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a rare hereditary disorder caused by impaired absorption of zinc from the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by acral and periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually begin on weaning from breast or formula feeding. We report a full‐term, 21‐month‐old boy with typical skin lesions and decreased plasma zinc level (12 µg/dl). The patient was given zinc sulfate 40 mg/day and at the end of 1 month his condition had improved significantly. After reviewing the literature we emphasize the important role of zinc in human metabolism and the difference between AE and acquired zinc deficiencies.