CH Wang, XL Ma, LP Shi

Abstract

Zinc deficiency dermatitis in preterm which has been described in infants with enteropathy or exclusively breastfed is a rare condition of severe zinc deficiency which may increase mortality of preterm. Here we report 9 cases of preterm with necrotizing enterocolitis who developed zinc deficiency dermatitis after long time of total parenteral nutrition and lack of zinc supplementation. At a postnatal age of 41-74 days, all the infants developed skin lesions, including early erythema, progressing to vesiculobullous lesions, and later escharosis. Zinc deficiency was confirmed by the finding of lower plasma zinc concentration (28.9-48.5 mg/dl). All infants recovered with a near normal skin appearance after 9-21 days' treatment with zinc supplementation. Premature infants with enteropathy on long time of total parenteral nutrition are at risk of developing zinc deficiency. Zinc should be routinely supplemented for those infants and plasma zinc concentration should be checked for the prompt diagnosis when these patients develop onset of skin lesions.