Acquired Zinc Deficiency in a Breast-fed Premature Infant

• Zinc deficiency that was diagnosed at 14 weeks of age developed in a breast-fed premature infant. There was a rapid response to zinc supplements (20 mg/day) and therapy was stopped after three weeks without recurrent disease. The maternal breast milk had a low level of zinc and this could not be corrected by oral zinc supplements.

(Arch Dermatol 1983;119:319-321)