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Transient Symptomatic Zinc Deficiency in a Breast‐fed Preterm Infant
Author(s) -
KiechlKohlendorfer Ursula,
Fink FranzMartin,
SteichenGersdorf Elisabeth
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2007.00512.x
Subject(s) - acrodermatitis enteropathica , medicine , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , acrodermatitis , zinc , breast feeding , dermatology , breast milk , presentation (obstetrics) , pediatrics , surgery , pathology , micronutrient , biochemistry , chemistry , materials science , alternative medicine , metallurgy
Transient, symptomatic zinc deficiency in breast‐fed, low‐birthweight infants is a rare, but probably underrecognized disorder hallmarked by periorificial and acral dermatitis. Unlike in acrodermatitis enteropathica, symptoms disappear when nursing ends. We report a breast‐fed, preterm infant with demarcated, erythematous, and exudative patches with overlying crusts on the perioral, perianal, and acral areas. Laboratory investigations revealed lowered zinc levels in the infant’s serum, but normal levels in his mother’s milk. Oral zinc supplementation resulted in total clearing of skin lesions within 4 weeks. Our patient’s presentation illustrates the importance of zinc in rapidly growing preterm infants and aims to stimulate awareness for this disorder. Symptomatic zinc deficiency can be easily diagnosed by careful examination and effectively treated with oral zinc substitution.