Symptomatic zinc deficiency in a breast-fed, premature infant

Hypozincemia and clinical features of acrodermatitis enteropathica developed in a breast-fed, premature infant at 6 months of age. Maternal breast milk zinc levels were normal at birth and at the time of appearance of zinc deficiency in the infant. Zinc supplementation administered orally resulted in rapid improvement. Seven premature infants with hypozincemia and transient symptomatic zinc deficiency have been previously described. In contrast with this case, the other infants received feedings with low zinc content.