Pediatric Acrodermatitis Enteropathica Treatment & Management

  • Author: KN Siva Subramanian, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 16, 2010
 

Medical Care

  • In patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), zinc gluconate or sulfate is administered orally at a dosage of 1-3 mg/kg/d. Although the intravenous dosage has not clearly been estimated, amounts of 300-1000 mcg/kg/d may be sufficient for rapid reversal of symptoms.
    • Clinical response is observed within 5-10 days. See the following images.Skin lesions in the diaper area. Skin lesions in the diaper area. Skin lesions in the diaper area (see image above) Skin lesions in the diaper area (see image above) a few weeks after treatment with zinc.
    • In AE, maintain zinc therapy throughout the patient's life span, though periods of remission are reported.
    • Exacerbation during pregnancy or the stress of disease may require an increase in therapy.
    • In acquired zinc deficiency, treatment can be stopped after the precipitating cause is resolved.
  • Warm compresses and petrolatum applied 3 times a day to areas of weeping or crusted dermatitis may enhance re-epithelialization when used concurrently with zinc replacement.
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Consultations

  • Consultation with pediatricians, dermatologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, and/or nutritionists may be necessary.
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Diet

The zinc content of some relatively zinc-rich foods is listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Zinc Content of Zinc-Rich Foods (Open Table in a new window)

FoodServing SizeZinc Content, mg
Oysters6 medium, cooked43.4
Dungeness crab3 oz, cooked4.6
Beef3 oz, cooked5.8
Turkey, dark meat3 oz, cooked3.5
Chicken, dark meat3 oz, cooked2.4
Pork3 oz, cooked2.2
Cashews1 oz1.6
Baked beans0.5 cup1.8
Yogurt, fruit1 cup (8 oz)1.8
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)0.5 cup1.3
Almonds1 cup (8 oz)1.0
Milk1 cup (8 oz)1.0
Cheese cheddar1 oz0.9
Peanuts1 cup (8 oz)0.9

Table 2. Recommended Dietary Allowances for Zinc (elemental) (Open Table in a new window)

Life StageAgeAllowance, mg/d
MalesFemales
Infants0-6 mo22
7-12 mo33
Children1-3 y33
4-8 y55
9-13 y88
Adolescents14-18 y119
Pregnant, ≤ 19 yNA12
Breastfeeding, ≤ 19 yNA13
AdultsAll, ≥ 19 y118
Pregnant, ≥ 19 yNA11
Breastfeeding, ≥ 19 yNA12
NA = not applicable
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

KN Siva Subramanian, MD  Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology, Chief of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine, Hospital Ethicist, Georgetown University Hospital

KN Siva Subramanian, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Nutrition, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, New York Academy of Sciences, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robert A Silverman, MD  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University; Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, University of Virginia at Charlottesville

Robert A Silverman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Aimee M Barton, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Georgetown University Medical Center

Aimee M Barton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sepideh Montazami, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Sepideh Montazami, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, British Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kevin P Connelly, DO  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Wang K, Pugh EW, Griffen S, et al. Homozygosity mapping places the acrodermatitis enteropathica gene on chromosomal region 8q24.3. Am J Hum Genet. Apr 2001;68(4):1055-60. [Medline].

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  4. Nakano H, Nakamura Y, Kawamura T, et al. Novel and recurrent nonsense mutation of the SLC39A4 gene in Japanese patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica. Br J Dermatol. Jul 2009;161(1):184-6. [Medline].

  5. Schmitt S, Kury S, Giraud M, Dreno B, Kharfi M, Bezieau S. An update on mutations of the SLC39A4 gene in acrodermatitis enteropathica. Hum Mutat. Jun 2009;30(6):926-33. [Medline].

  6. Prasad AS. Zinc: an overview. Nutrition. Jan-Feb 1995;11(1 Suppl):93-9. [Medline].

  7. Kiechl-Kohlendorfer U, Fink FM, Steichen-Gersdorf E. Transient symptomatic zinc deficiency in a breast-fed preterm infant. Pediatr Dermatol. Sep-Oct 2007;24(5):536-40. [Medline].

  8. Wells BT, Winkelmann RD. Acrodermatitis enteropathica. Report of 6 cases. Arch Dermatol. Jul 1961;84:40-52. [Medline].

  9. Arakawa T, Tamura T, Igarashi Y, et al. Zinc deficiency in two infants during total parenteral alimentation for diarrhea. Am J Clin Nutr. Feb 1976;29(2):197-204. [Medline].

  10. Barnes PM, Moynahan EJ. Zinc deficiency in acrodermatitis enteropathica: multiple dietary intolerance treated with synthetic diet. Proc R Soc Med. Apr 1973;66(4):327-9. [Medline].

  11. Bilinski DL, Ehrenkranz RA, Cooley-Jacobs J, et al. Symptomatic zinc deficiency in a breast-fed, premature infant. Arch Dermatol. Sep 1987;123(9):1221-4. [Medline].

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  14. Danbolt N, Closs K. Acrodermatitis enteropathica. Acta Derm Venerol. 1942;22:17.

  15. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001:442-501. [Full Text].

  16. Graves K, Kestenbaum T, Kalivas J. Hereditary acrodermatitis enteropathica in an adult. Arch Dermatol. May 1980;116(5):562-4. [Medline].

  17. Grider A, Mouat MF. The acrodermatitis enteropathica mutation affects protein expression in human fibroblasts: analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. J Nutr. Aug 1998;128(8):1311-4. [Medline].

  18. Hambidge KM. The role of zinc and other trace metals in pediatric nutrition and health. Pediatr Clin North Am. Feb 1977;24(1):95-106. [Medline].

  19. Hurley LS, Eckhert CD, Duncan JR, et al. [Acrodermatitis enteropathica and human breast milk]. Lancet. Jan 22 1977;1(8004):195. [Medline].

  20. Kharfi M, Zaraa I, Kury S, et al. [Acrodermatitis enteropathica in full-term breast-fed infant]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. Mar 2005;132(3):246-8. [Medline].

  21. Kuramoto Y, Igarashi Y, Tagami H. Acquired zinc deficiency in breast-fed infants. Semin Dermatol. Dec 1991;10(4):309-12. [Medline].

  22. Lonnerdal B, Stanislowski AG, Hurley LS. Isolation of a low molecular weight zinc binding ligand from human milk. J Inorg Biochem. Jan 1980;12(1):71-8. [Medline].

  23. Martin DP, Tangsinmankong N, Sleasman JW, et al. Acrodermatitis enteropathica-like eruption and food allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Mar 2005;94(3):398-401. [Medline].

  24. Moynahan EJ. Letter: Acrodermatitis enteropathica: a lethal inherited human zinc-deficiency disorder. Lancet. Aug 17 1974;2(7877):399-400. [Medline].

  25. Moynahan EJ, Barnes PM. Zinc deficiency and a synthetic diet for lactose intolerance. Lancet. Mar 24 1973;1(7804):676-7. [Medline].

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  28. Samady JA, Schwartz RA, Shih LY, et al. Acrodermatitis enteropathica-like eruption in an infant with nonketotic hyperglycinemia. J Dermatol. Sep 2000;27(9):604-8. [Medline].

  29. Sivasubramanian KN, Henkin RI. Behavioral and dermatologic changes and low serum zinc and copper concentrations in two premature infants after parenteral alimentation. J Pediatr. Nov 1978;93(5):847-51. [Medline].

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Skin lesions in the diaper area.
Skin lesions in the diaper area (see image above) a few weeks after treatment with zinc.
Facial lesions.
Foot lesions.
Table 1. Zinc Content of Zinc-Rich Foods
FoodServing SizeZinc Content, mg
Oysters6 medium, cooked43.4
Dungeness crab3 oz, cooked4.6
Beef3 oz, cooked5.8
Turkey, dark meat3 oz, cooked3.5
Chicken, dark meat3 oz, cooked2.4
Pork3 oz, cooked2.2
Cashews1 oz1.6
Baked beans0.5 cup1.8
Yogurt, fruit1 cup (8 oz)1.8
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)0.5 cup1.3
Almonds1 cup (8 oz)1.0
Milk1 cup (8 oz)1.0
Cheese cheddar1 oz0.9
Peanuts1 cup (8 oz)0.9
Table 2. Recommended Dietary Allowances for Zinc (elemental)
Life StageAgeAllowance, mg/d
MalesFemales
Infants0-6 mo22
7-12 mo33
Children1-3 y33
4-8 y55
9-13 y88
Adolescents14-18 y119
Pregnant, ≤ 19 yNA12
Breastfeeding, ≤ 19 yNA13
AdultsAll, ≥ 19 y118
Pregnant, ≥ 19 yNA11
Breastfeeding, ≥ 19 yNA12
NA = not applicable
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