A study on efficacy of oral zinc therapy for treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica

Introduction: Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a disorder of zinc metabolism that occurs in one of two forms: an inborn (congenital) form and an acquired form. The inborn form of AE is a rare genetic disorder characterized by intestinal abnormalities that leads to inability to absorb zinc from the intestine. The lack of zinc presents, characteristically, as skin inflammation with pustules occurring around the mouth and/or anus, diarrhea.Aims: To study the efficacy of oral zinc therapy on thirty patients of acrodermatitis enteropathica.Methods: Thirty clinically diagnosed patients of acrodermatitis enteropathica were taken for the study. The criterion of diagnosis of this condition was the clinical picture of symmetrical vesiculo-pustular dermatitis, in upper and lower limbs and periorificial regions.Results and Discussion: In our study maximum (50%) patients were below 1 year of age, 33.3% patients were between 13-24 months of age, 6.66% patients were between 25- 36 months and 37- 48 months each and 3.33% patients were between 49- 60 months of age. Nail changes were seen in 60% children. Also, it was seen that perioral area was the commonest (86.6%) site involved, followed by anogenital area in 80% patients, palms and soles were involved in 66.6% patients, arms in 46.6% patients and legs were seen in 40% patients. Regarding clinical features, dermatitis was seen in 100%patients, alopecia was seen in 40% patients, diarrhea in 60% patients and mental disturbances were seen in 30 % patients.