Acrodermatitis Enteropathica Treatment & Management

  • Author: Kristina Marie Dela Rosa, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 5, 2011
 

Medical Care

Treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica requires lifelong zinc supplementation. Typically, 1-3 mg/kg of zinc gluconate or sulfate is administered orally each day.[8, 12] Clinical improvement occurs prior to any significant change in the plasma zinc levels, usually within days to weeks of initiating treatment. Monitor serum zinc levels and alkaline phosphatase values every 3-6 months.[8]

Acrodermatitis enteropathica exacerbation during pregnancy or the stress of disease may require an increase in therapy.[1] [26]

Warm compresses to remove the scale crust, followed by application of white petrolatum to eroded skin lesions, may enhance reepithelialization when used concurrently with zinc replacement.

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Diet

Although no special diet is required for acrodermatitis enteropathica patients, as long as zinc supplementation is continued, certain foods contain increased levels of zinc, including oysters, crab, beef, pork, and fowl. Zinc content is directly related to protein content.[14, 27]

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Activity

No activity restrictions are necessary for acrodermatitis enteropathica patients.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kristina Marie Dela Rosa, MD  Flight Surgeon, Commander Naval Air Forces, NAS North Island

Kristina Marie Dela Rosa, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH  Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego

Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Medical Women's Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Eleanor E Sahn, MD  Director, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Associate Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina

Eleanor E Sahn, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Timothy G. Woodall, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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  19. Niiyama S, Koelker S, Degen I, Hoffmann GF, Happle R, Hoffmann R. Acrodermatitis acidemica secondary to malnutrition in glutaric aciduria type I. Eur J Dermatol. May-Jun 2001;11(3):244-6. [Medline].

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  27. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganesse, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Available at http://ods.od.nih.gov/FactSheets/Zinc.asp#h3.. Accessed 9/9/09.

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Sharply demarcated, brightly erythematous periorificial plaque in an infant with acrodermatitis enteropathica.
 
 
 
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