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Transient symptomatic zinc deficiency in a full-term breast-fed infant
1Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|August 1, 1990
Summary
A breast-fed infant experienced diarrhea and skin rash due to low zinc levels. Oral zinc therapy quickly resolved all symptoms, normalizing zinc levels and improving infant health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infantile diarrhea and skin conditions can indicate underlying nutritional deficiencies.
- Breast milk is a primary source of nutrition for infants, but zinc content can vary.
Observation:
- A 5-month-old infant presented with a persistent 2-month history of diarrhea and a 1.5-month history of an acrodermatitis enteropathica-like rash.
- Both the infant's serum zinc level and the maternal breast milk zinc level were found to be significantly low.
Findings:
- The infant's symptoms, including diarrhea and skin eruption, resolved rapidly following the initiation of oral zinc supplementation.
- Post-treatment, the infant's serum zinc levels returned to the normal range, correlating with symptom resolution.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical role of adequate zinc intake in infant health, particularly for breast-fed infants.
- Maternal zinc status may directly impact infant nutrition, underscoring the importance of monitoring zinc levels in cases of persistent infant illness.
- Prompt diagnosis and zinc supplementation can effectively manage zinc deficiency disorders in infants, preventing long-term complications.