Zinc-deficiency acrodermatitis in a patient with chronic alcoholism and gastric bypass: a case report

Acquired adult-onset zinc deficiency is occasionally reported in patients with malnutrition states, such as alcoholism, or malabsorptive states, such as post-bariatric surgery. The defining symptoms of hypozincemia include a classic triad of necrolytic dermatitis, diffuse alopecia, and diarrhea. We...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dariush Shahsavari, Zubair Ahmed, Ajoy Karikkineth, Richard Williams, Carlos Zigel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Greater Baltimore Medical Center 2014-07-01
Series:Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
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Online Access:http://www.jchimp.net/index.php/jchimp/article/download/24707/pdf_1
Description
Summary:Acquired adult-onset zinc deficiency is occasionally reported in patients with malnutrition states, such as alcoholism, or malabsorptive states, such as post-bariatric surgery. The defining symptoms of hypozincemia include a classic triad of necrolytic dermatitis, diffuse alopecia, and diarrhea. We report a case of zinc deficiency in a 39-year-old man with history of gastric bypass surgery and alcoholism. For this patient, severe hypozincemia confirmed acrodermatitis, and zinc supplementation was met with gradual improvement.
ISSN:2000-9666