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Skin lesions in a 16-month-old toddler with impaired zinc absorption

J Bartosińska1, G Chodorowska, I Jazienicka

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Paediatric Dermatology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. jbartosinski@gmail.com

Advances in Medical Sciences
|October 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Acrodermatitis enteropathica, a rare genetic disorder, impairs zinc absorption. This case study shows prompt improvement in a child with skin lesions after zinc supplementation.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare autosomal recessive disorder.
  • It stems from impaired zinc absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Observation:

  • A 16-month-old female presented with a 7-month history of periorificial and acral skin lesions.
  • Clinical and laboratory findings, including low serum zinc levels (17.2μg/dL), confirmed the diagnosis.

Findings:

  • The patient exhibited characteristic skin lesions associated with Acrodermatitis enteropathica.
  • Serum zinc levels were significantly below the normal range (70-160 μg/dL).

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing Acrodermatitis enteropathica.
  • Zinc supplementation can rapidly resolve clinical manifestations of the condition.

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