Acrodermatitis enteropathica-like skin lesions in a neonate

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jun 28:2013:bcr2013200190. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-200190.

Abstract

A male neonate was born to a sixth-gravida mother with a history of four early-neonatal deaths. On day 21 of life, the patient was admitted for poor feeding, vomiting and encephalopathy. Final diagnosis of propionic acidaemica (propionylcarnitine, 17.67 μmol/L) was made. He was managed by peritoneal dialysis followed by protein-free and special lipid diet, sodium benzoate and multivitamins. On day 28 of life, he developed acrodermatitis enteropathica-like skin lesions on perioral and diaper area that did not respond to oral zinc or antimicrobials. A possibility of acrodermatitis acidaemica was kept and supplementation with essential amino acids started, following which the skin lesions regressed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acrodermatitis / diagnosis*
  • Acrodermatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Zinc / deficiency*

Substances

  • Zinc

Supplementary concepts

  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica