A Case of Acrodermatitis Enteropathica Misdiagnosed as Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

This case report described a 9-month-old baby boy who was initially misdiagnosed with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome due to symptoms of hair loss, diarrhea, skin peeling, and fever. However, the correct diagnosis was acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), a rare genetic disorder caused by zinc deficiency, characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea. The diagnosis was confirmed by low serum zinc levels and the rapid improvement of symptoms within 8 days of starting oral zinc therapy. The report highlighted the importance of considering AE in pediatric cases of chronic diarrhea with specific skin lesions to ensure timely zinc supplementation and reduce mortality risk.