[Acquired zinc deficiency in a breast-fed premature infant].
Symptomatic zinc deficiency can occur in exclusively breast-fed infants. We report a case in a preterm infant.


METHODS
A 3-months-old exclusively breast-fed premature infant presented with peri-orificial and acral eczematoid lesions. Laboratory investigations revealed lowered zinc levels in the infant's serum and in her mother's milk. A rapid healing occurred after oral zinc supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc deficiency in breast-fed infants is a rare disease caused by a low level of zinc in mother's milk. The clinical features resemble those of acrodermatitis enteropathica. Oral zinc supplementation is required until weaning.
Guillot
I
I
Service de dermatologie, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69437 Lyon cedex 03, France.
Roth
B
B
Causeret
A S
AS
Jullien
D
D
Claris
O
O
Faure
M
M
Claudy
A
A
D001942:Breast Feeding; D004485:Eczema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
D015032:Zinc