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Review
. 2024 Jul 25;16(3):602-617.
doi: 10.3390/pediatric16030051.

Acquired and Inherited Zinc Deficiency-Related Diseases in Children: A Case Series and a Narrative Review

Tommaso Bellini  1 , Marta Bustaffa  1 , Barbara Tubino  1 , Benedetta Giordano  2 , Clelia Formigoni  2 , Elena Fueri  2 , Federica Casabona  2 , Barbara Vanorio  2 , Andrea Pastorino  2 , Astrid Herzum  3 , Caterina Matucci-Cerinic  4 , Serena Arrigo  5 , Gianmaria Viglizzo  3 , Emanuela Piccotti  1
Affiliations
Review

Acquired and Inherited Zinc Deficiency-Related Diseases in Children: A Case Series and a Narrative Review

Tommaso Bellini et al. Pediatr Rep. .

Abstract

Zinc deficiency is a significant global health concern among children, manifesting in various acquired and inherited conditions. This comprehensive overview of acquired and inherited zinc deficiency-related diseases in children aimed to explore the clinical presentations, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies associated with these conditions. This case series elucidates the diverse clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency in pediatric patients, ranging from dermatitis and growth retardation to immune dysregulation and neurological abnormalities, and discusses the underlying genetic mechanisms, clinical phenotypes, and therapeutic interventions. The complexity of zinc deficiency-related diseases in children underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatricians, dermatologists, geneticists, and nutritionists to optimize patient care and outcomes.

Keywords: acquired zinc deficiency; acrodermatitis enteropathica; dermatitis; metabolic diseases; pediatric emergency departments; transient neonatal zinc deficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Bullous lesions of the fingers with spared nails. (B) Acral bullous lesions in the feet. (C) Erosive, partially crusted erythematous plaques, sharply demarcated and symmetrically distributed impetiginized lesions on the cheeks, ears, neck, and chin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Crusty and hyperemic rash on the feet, with paronychia. (B) Erosive, crusted, and bullous perioral lesions with alopecia universalis. (C) Acral crusted lesions affecting the knees. (D) Paronychia and onychodystrophy affecting the fingers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Erythematous erosive perineal plaque.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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