A Case of Zinc Deficiency Dermatitis in Breast Milk Fed Infant Mimicking Atopic Dermatitis / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

Zinc deficiency can result from acrodermatitis enteropathica, an inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, increased body loss, or intravenous feeding. Unlike acrodermatitis enteropathica, breast feeding-induced acrodermatitis is transient and improves when nursing ends. Breast feeding-induced acrodermatitis is caused by a ZnT-2 transporter dysfunction in the mother's mammary glands. We report a case of a 6-month-old male infant who presented with erythematous patches and plaques involving the perioral, perineal, and acral areas and loose stools since 2 weeks after birth. Atopic dermatitis was considered initially, but the lesions did not respond to topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, or maternal dietary restriction from allergenic food. The patient's serum zinc concentration was low, and the mother's serum and milk had low zinc levels. The differential diagnosis for atopic dermatitis is extensive. Physicians should be alert for the possibility of zinc deficiency dermatitis in breast milk fed infants that mimics atopic dermatitis.