[Clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy of acrodermatitis enteropathica]

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a very rare disease, usually occurring during child age, but also in grown-ups. Symptoms are skin lesions localized periorally and acrally, alopecia, diarrhea and psychic alterations. The disease is caused by zinc deficiency due to malabsorption. The diagnosis can be established by decreased plasma levels of zinc; typical changes of the Paneth cells may be demonstrated by electron microscopy. Substitution by supplying zinc will lead to complete clinical healing.