Acquired zinc deficiency: a case report

Abstract

Zinc deficiency can be an autosomal recessive inherited or acquired disorder and is classically characterized by acral and periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea. We report a case of acquired zinc deficiency in a premature 6-week-old boy with typical skin manifestation of zinc deficiency and decreased plasma zinc level. After starting zinc replacement therapy, the skin lesions completely disappeared in the first few weeks.