Acrodermatitis Enteropathica in Children: Clinical Cases
June 2017
TLDR Zinc supplements and genetic analysis help treat acrodermatitis enteropathica in children.
The study focused on acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) in children, a rare disease primarily caused by zinc deficiency or genetic factors affecting zinc absorption. Two cases were examined: a 2.5-year-old girl and a 6-month-old boy, both exhibiting symptoms like dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhoea. Genetic analysis revealed rare polymorphisms in the SLC39A4 gene, contributing to the understanding of AE's etiology. Treatment involved zinc supplementation, dietary adjustments, and topical ointments, leading to significant improvement in symptoms, including hair regrowth in the girl. The study highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosing and treating AE.