A Case of Acrodermatitis Enteropathica / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Diiodohydroxyquin introduced by Dillaha et al in 1953, had been the mainstay for the treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica (A.E.). However, following the report by Moynahan and Barnes in 1973 of successful treatment with the oral administration of zinc sulfate, the clinical response to this treatment has been confirmed by different investigators in many countries. In Korean literature, Rhim et al reported two cases of A,E. in siblings successfully treated with oral zinc sulfate in 1980. In our case of cow's milk-fed, 7 month-old male infant, typical claasical features of total alopecia, diarrhea and periorificial dermatitis developed at about 3 months. of age and the zinc level in serum was 101 ug/dl at the first visit. Treatment first with diiodohydroxyquin was initiated at a dose of 315 mg/day by mouth for the first week and 630 mg/day for the second week, but this therapeutic regimen brought about little or no effect. Because of no definite improvement even with increasing dose of 1260 mg/day for another week, treatment was. changed to oral zinc sulfate. The patient began to receive zinc sulfate 50mg at first day by mouth and the dosage was immediately increased to l00mg daily from the next day. Within 72 hrs there found dramatic improvement in the skin lesions and diharrhea stopped. Twenty days after the start of zinc therapy, nearly all the skin lesions disappeared and the patient was discharged in satisfactory condition with only mild residual erythema. (countinued..)