[Zinc treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica (author's transl)]

Treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica with zinc sulfate, first described by Moynahan and Barnes in 1973, has been widely accepted. We have treated a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica successfully with this drug. The 14-year old boy had to discontinue clioquinol because of a partial opticus atrophy. The skin lesions deteriorated acutely. Following zinc sulfate treatment the lesions rapidly disappeared and the general health of the patient greatly improved. Small doses of zinc sulfate are sufficient for maintenance therapy. The pathogenesis of acrodermatitis enteropathica is reviewed and the modes of action of zinc therapy are considered.