title: Transient symptomatic zinc deficiency in a breast-fed infant: relevance of a genetic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica in a full-term, breast-fed, 7-mo-old infant born from consanguineous parents with a family history of acrodermatitis enteropathica.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient presented with periorificial and symmetric acral lesions, which prompted us to review the clinical features of acrodermatitis enteropathica and its pathogenesis. Laboratory investigations showed low zinc levels in the infant's and mother's sera and in the mothers' milk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A diagnosis of acrodermatitis enteropathica was made. A mutation screening of the SLC39A4 gene in the patient and his mother showed heterozygosity for the deletion c.1223_1227delCCGGG. The diagnosis of transient symptomatic zinc deficiency was then established.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transient symptomatic zinc deficiency is generally reported in premature infants but should also be considered in full-term, breast-fed infants, as in the present case.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisia. fekih.nadia@planet.tn
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: El Fékih
authors: Kharfi
authors: K
authors: Monia
authors: Sebastien
authors: S
authors: Schmitt
authors: Iméne
authors: I
authors: Dorbani
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Küry
authors: Mohamed R
authors: MR
authors: Kamoun
mesh_terms: D000169:Acrodermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D009154:Mutation; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc