[Symptomatic zinc deficiency in a breast-fed infant]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2017 Oct 9;179(41):V03170215.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Nutrition containing zinc is of special practical importance in infants and children. Perinatal zinc deficiency manifestations include erosive dermatitis, alopecia, diarrhoea, central nervous system dysfunction and immune system deficiency. We present a case story of an ex-preterm, exclusively breast-fed infant who presented with irritability, clinical signs of infection, an atypical rash and signs of oral candidiasis. Blood tests showed low plasma levels of zinc and subsequent analysis showed reduced zinc levels in the breast milk.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astringents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Feeding
  • Exanthema / pathology
  • Growth Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Growth Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Growth Disorders* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Zinc / deficiency*
  • Zinc Sulfate / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Astringents
  • Zinc Sulfate
  • Zinc

Supplementary concepts

  • Zinc Deficiency, Neonatal, due to Low Breast Milk Zinc