Clinical assessment of mild zinc deficiency is difficult because many of the signs and symptoms are nonspecific. Maternal zinc deficiency may cause anencephaly in the fetus. Secondary deficiency occurs in liver disease, in malabsorption states, and during prolonged parenteral nutrition. Night blindness and mental lethargy may be features. The defect involves the failure to generate a transport protein that enables zinc to be absorbed in the intestine.
Symptoms usually begin after an infant is weaned from breast milk.
This disorder is characterized by psoriasiform dermatitis, hair loss, paronychia, growth retardation, and diarrhea. All rights reserved.