acrodermatitis enteropathica

acrodermatitis enteropathica A progressive, hereditary disease of children, characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of skin inflammation (dermatitis) and diarrhea. The skin on the cheeks, elbows, and knees is inflamed, as is tissue about the mouth and anus. There is also balding of the scalp, eyebrows, and lashes; delayed wound healing; and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections due to immune deficiency. The key laboratory finding is an abnormally low blood zinc level, reflecting impaired zinc uptake. Treatment with zinc by mouth is curative. Acrodermatitis enteropathica is an autosomal recessive disorder. See also deficiency, zinc; zinc.