Acrodermatitis Enteropathica 

  • Author: John D Sheppard Jr, MD, MMSc; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 8, 2009
 

Background

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by periorificial and acral dermatitis, alopecia, growth failure, gastrointestinal disturbance, and diarrhea. Symptoms of AE occur within the first few months after birth and tend to appear in nonbreastfed infants or in infants shortly after discontinuation of breastfeeding. Ocular complications include lid and surface involvement as well as secondary infections.[1]

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Pathophysiology

The nature of the metabolic defect is currently attributed to zinc absorption. The AE mutation creates reduced zinc uptake and abnormal zinc metabolism in human fibroblasts. The gene defect is located on chromosome 8, characterized as the intestinal zinc transporter gene, or SLC39A4 gene, at locus 8q24.3.[2, 3]

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Unknown

International

It is estimated that 1 in 500,000 people in Denmark are affected.

Mortality/Morbidity

AE is lethal, usually within the first few years of life, if left untreated. However, an untreated adult survivor was reported.

Race

No racial predilection exists.

Sex

No sexual preference exists.

Age

AE appears in the first few months after birth or after cessation of breastfeeding.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

John D Sheppard Jr, MD, MMSc  Professor of Ophthalmology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Clinical Director, Thomas R Lee Center for Ocular Pharmacology, Ophthalmology Residency Research Program Director, Eastern Virginia Medical School; President, Virginia Eye Consultants

John D Sheppard Jr, MD, MMSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Uveitis Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Timothy G Woodall, MD  Dermatology, Carolinas Medical Center - Pineville

Timothy G Woodall, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Andrew A Dahl, MD  Director of Ophthalmology Teaching, Mid-Hudson Family Practice Institute, The Institute for Family Health; Assistant Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology), New York College of Medicine

Andrew A Dahl, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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