title: Acrodermatitis enteropathica: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a rare hereditary disorder caused by impaired absorption of zinc from the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by acral and periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually begin on weaning from breast or formula feeding. We report a full-term, 21-month-old boy with typical skin lesions and decreased plasma zinc level (12 micro g/dl). The patient was given zinc sulfate 40 mg/day and at the end of 1 month his condition had improved significantly. After reviewing the literature we emphasize the important role of zinc in human metabolism and the difference between AE and acquired zinc deficiencies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perafán-Riveros
authors.forename: Luis Fernando Sayago
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: Ana Cristina Fortes
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: José Antônio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sanches
mesh_terms: D000169:Acrodermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc