Acrodermatitis enteropathica in Saudi Arabia.

Four patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) are presented from three Saudi families. The clinical picture in these patients is basically similar to that described elsewhere. These patients, however, showed different degrees of involvement of various body systems. In all cases, low serum zinc levels were documented, and they responded well to zinc supplementation. In the follow-up evaluation, angular cheilitis was observed as a feature that appears to herald the relapse of disease. Interestingly, when patients are treated, it was the last sign to disappear. Current information on zinc is summarized.