Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2012 Jun;22(2):204-208.

A Case of Zinc Deficiency Dermatitis in Breast Milk Fed Infant Mimicking Atopic Dermatitis

• Choi SY
• Lee HW
• Park HY
• Ahn YM

Abstract

Zinc deficiency can result from acrodermatitis enteropathica, an inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, increased body loss, or intravenous feeding. Unlike acrodermatitis enteropathica, breast feeding-induced acrodermatitis is transient and improves when nursing ends. Breast feeding-induced acrodermatitis is caused by a ZnT-2 transporter dysfunction in the mother's mammary glands. We report a case of a 6-month-old male infant who presented with erythematous patches and plaques involving the perioral, perineal, and acral areas and loose stools since 2 weeks after birth. Atopic dermatitis was considered initially, but the lesions did not respond to topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, or maternal dietary restriction from allergenic food. The patient's serum zinc concentration was low, and the mother's serum and milk had low zinc levels. The differential diagnosis for atopic dermatitis is extensive. Physicians should be alert for the possibility of zinc deficiency dermatitis in breast milk fed infants that mimics atopic dermatitis.

Keyword

Zinc deficiency; Infant; Breast fed

MeSH Terms

Acrodermatitis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Breast
Dermatitis
Dermatitis, Atopic
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Infant
Male
Mammary Glands, Human
Milk
Milk, Human
Parenteral Nutrition
Parturition
Zinc
Acrodermatitis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Zinc

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Skin lesions show erythematous patches and plaques involving the perioral, perineal and acral area.

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  Fig. 2 After 2 weeks of zinc supply, skin lesions show improving status.

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