Korean J Dermatol.  2011 Jun;49(6):529-532.

Transient Zinc Deficiency Located on Unusual Sites

• Kim BC
• Cho EB
• Park EJ
• Kwon IH
• Kim KH
• Kim KJ

Abstract

Zinc deficiency in breast-fed infants is an important disorder. Unlike acrodermatitis enteropathica, it is transient and stops when nursing ends. We report on a case of a breast-fed, full-term male infant who presented with erythematous fine scaly patches and plaques involving the flexural area and trunk at 4 month of age. Clinical impressions of intertrigo, fungal infection or inverse psoriasis were considered. These lesions did not respond to treatment with topical antifungal agents and corticosteroids. The results of laboratory investigations revealed a lowered zinc level in the infant's serum (48.4microg/dl: normal 70~121microg/dl) and in the mother's milk (16microg/dl: normal 48~75microg/dl) and a normal level of zinc in the mother's serum. After the patient's mother was given zinc supplements, the skin lesions were dramatically improved and his serum zinc level became normal. Early recognition of the disorder and introduction of zinc supplementation rapidly reversed the transient zinc deficiency.

Keyword

Acrodermatitis enteropathica; Flexural area; Transient zinc deficiency

MeSH Terms

Acrodermatitis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Antifungal Agents
Humans
Infant
Intertrigo
Male
Milk
Mothers
Psoriasis
Skin
Zinc
Acrodermatitis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Antifungal Agents
Zinc