Martínez-Bustamante ME, Peña-Vélez R, Almanza-Miranda E, Aceves-Barrios CA, Vargas-Pastrana T, Morayta-Ramírez Corona ARR. [Acrodermatitis enteropathica].
BOLETIN MEDICO DEL HOSPITAL INFANTIL DE MEXICO 2017;
74:295-300. [PMID:
29382519 DOI:
10.1016/j.bmhimx.2017.05.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a low-incidence disease due to inherited or acquired zinc deficiency. It is characterized by acral dermatitis, alopecia, diarrhea and growth retardation. The dermatological condition may mimic a cutaneous fungal infection or other pathogen-related skin diseases.
CASE REPORT
We report the case of a female patient of 7 months of age, who was sent to Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre for suspicion of immunodeficiency and cutaneous mycosis. Her condition began with dermatosis disseminated to the head, trunk and genital region; initial treatment with antifungal and broad spectrum antibiotics was given, without improvement. Upon admission, immunodeficiency and fungal infection were discarded. Acrodermatitis enteropathica was suspected, and corroborated later by low serum zinc levels. Immediately after the start of oral treatment with zinc, the patient showed improvement.
CONCLUSIONS
There are multiple differential diagnoses of acrodermatitis enteropathica, which includes cutaneous infections. Therefore, the early recognition of the characteristic lesions favors suspicion, diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Collapse