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.

Conclusion: 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.