Kwashiorkor-like zinc deficiency syndrome in anorexia nervosa

This report deals with a 26-year-old white woman exhibiting signs of both Kwashiorkor (marasmus, pallor, hypopigmentation of hair and hepatomegaly) and acrodermatitis enteropathica (eczematous dermatitis predominantly on acral areas). Clinical and laboratory examinations excluded malabsorption syndrome and glucagonoma syndrome and revealed hypoproteinemia and marked zinc deficiency. Psychiatric examination disclosed anorexia nervosa. Substitution therapy led to rapid clearing of the skin lesions.