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[Acrodermatitis enteropathica-like disease in a full-term exclusively breast-fed infant]
Insights
Symptomatic zinc deficiency can occur in exclusively breast-fed infants due to low zinc levels in breast milk. Oral zinc supplementation is crucial for recovery and should continue until weaning.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Dermatology
Background:
- Exclusively breast-fed infants are at risk for symptomatic zinc deficiency.
- Maternal milk zinc content can be insufficient for infant needs.
Observation:
- A 5-month-old infant presented with persistent erythema and scaly lesions.
- Clinical presentation mimicked acrodermatitis enteropathica.
Findings:
- Infant serum zinc levels were low.
- Maternal plasma zinc was normal, but breast milk zinc was deficient.
- Oral zinc supplementation led to rapid clinical improvement.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare cause of zinc deficiency in exclusively breast-fed infants.
- Early diagnosis and zinc supplementation are essential.
- Monitoring and supplementation may be needed until infant weaning.
Unlabelled:
Symptomatic zinc deficiency can occur in exclusively breast-fed infants. We report a case in a 5-month-old infant.
Case Report:
A 5-month-old exclusively breast-fed boy presented with persistent erythema of breech since the age of 2 months as well as perioral and acral erythematous scaly lesions. Laboratory investigations revealed low zinc levels in the infant's serum, the mother's plasma zinc level was normal, and breast milk zinc was low. Rapid healing occurred after oral zinc supplementation.
Discussion:
Zinc deficiency in breast-fed infants is a rare disease caused by a low level of zinc in the mother's milk. The clinical features resemble those of acrodermatitis enteropathica. Oral zinc supplementation is required until weaning.
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