A Case of Zinc Deficiency Dermatitis in Breast Milk Fed Infant Mimicking Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Zinc deficiency can result from acrodermatitis enteropathica, an inadequate dietary intake, malab- sorption, increased body loss, or intravenous feeding. Unlike acrodermatitis enteropathica, breast feeding-induced acrodermatitis is transient and improves when nursing ends. Breast feeding-induced acrodermatitis is caused by a ZnT-2 transporter dysfunction in the mothers mammary glands. We ' report a case of a 6-month-old male infant who presented with erythematous patches and plaques involving the perioral, perineal, and acral areas and loose stools since 2 weeks after birth. Atopic dermatitis was considered initially, but the lesions did not respond to topical antibiotics, corticos- teroids, or maternal dietary restriction from allergenic food. The patient s serum zinc concentration ' was low, and the mothers serum and milk had low zinc levels. The differential diagnosis for atopic ' dermatitis is extensive. Physicians should be alert for the possibility of zinc deficiency dermatitis in breast milk fed infants that mimics atopic dermatitis. (Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2012;22:204-208)