[Acrodermatitis enteropathica-like disease in a full-term exclusively breast-fed infant].

UNLABELLED: Symptomatic zinc deficiency can occur in exclusively breast-fed infants. We report a case in a 5-month-old infant.

CASE REPORT: A 5-month-old exclusively breast-fed boy presented with persistent erythema of breech since the age of 2 months as well as perioral and acral erythematous scaly lesions. Laboratory investigations revealed low zinc levels in the infant's serum, the mother's plasma zinc level was normal, and breast milk zinc was low. Rapid healing occurred after oral zinc supplementation.

DISCUSSION: Zinc deficiency in breast-fed infants is a rare disease caused by a low level of zinc in the mother's milk. The clinical features resemble those of acrodermatitis enteropathica. Oral zinc supplementation is required until weaning.