ACRODERMATITIS ENTEROPATHICA

Etiology

• Autosomal recessive
• Inherited form of zinc deficiency
• Result of a mutation in a zinc transport protein – decreased ability to absorb zinc from dietary sources

Other names:

• Brandt syndrome
• Danbolt–Closs syndrome
• Congenital zinc deficiency 

Clinical manifestations

Triad of

• Acral dermatitis (face, hands, feet, anogenital area)
• Alopecia
• Diarrhea

Treatment

• Requires lifelong zinc supplementation
• 1-3 mg/kg of zinc gluconate or sulfate is administered orally each day

Other types:

v  Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans: skin atrophy in Lyme’s disease

v  Acrodermatitis continua/ Acrodermatitis pustulosa: form of pustular psoriasis

Exam Question

• Autosomal recessive
• Inherited form of zinc deficiency

Triad of

• Acral dermatitis (face, hands, feet, anogenital area)
• Alopecia
• Diarrhea

Treatment

• Requires lifelong zinc supplementation