PHILADELPHIA DERMATOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Nov 21, 1975Waine C. Johnson, MD, Recorder
Acrodermatitis Enteropathica. Presented by James J. Leyden, MD, and John J. Laskas Jr, MD
An erythematous, scaling, pustular eruption over the hands, feet, arms, legs, and face developed at 3 weeks of age in a 29-year-old man. This has persisted throughout his life and alopecia and contractures of the fingers and legs gradually developed. Numerous topical medications have been used without notable improvement. Physical examination at this time shows an almost total alopecia of the scalp, an erythematous scaling eruption of the face, and thick scales and plaques on the palms, soles, and digits. Results of numerous laboratory studies have been normal and the serum zinc level was 0.05 mg/dl (normal, 0.05 to 0.15 mg/dl). A biopsy specimen in 1973 showed a psoriasiform reaction. Treatment recently with oral zinc sulfate (200 mg four times a day) has resulted in