Shortness of stature as observed in humans with acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) appears to be related directly to the patient's state of nutrition or to malnutrition secondary to the disease process and is not an inherent part of AE. Stature of the patient appears to depend on age, severity of the disease, and the age at which effective treatment is started. At the Mayo Clinic, three patients whose treatment was considered successful were not short. Treatment of these patients was started at an early age or soon after the diagnosis of AE was made. One patient who was in the 50th percentile in height was in the 70th percentile with regard to weight. On the basis of limited feeding trial, it appears that diiodohydroxyquin (Diodoquin) has no effect on either enhancement or retardation of growth.