Comparison of serum zinc level in healthy Iraqi children and patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to establish reference values of serum zinc [S Zn] in Iraqi children [108 healthy infants and children of different age groups] for comparison of the results obtained for eleven patients with Acrodermatitis-enteropathica [AEP]. The value of S Zn in healthy subjects was found to be significantly lower during the first. year of life than in other age groups. Patients with AEP also had a significant low S Zn level. The clinical manifestations in these patients were as follow Dermatitis was present in 100%, loss of hair, diarrhea and family history of death were found in 63.6%, 27.2% and 27.2% respectively