2025 – PAGE 224 – VITAMIN AND NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS
(DOUBLE TAKE) ZINC DEFICIENCY
Breastfeeding helps with zinc absorption. If a child begins having medical problems once weaned from breast milk, consider zinc deficiency in your differential. Zinc deficiency causes a SCALY and EXTREMELY ERYTHEMATOUS dermatitis in the perioral and perianal area (around the natural orifices) that can DESQUAMATE. The rash is sometimes described as erosive and eczematous. It can also be associated with ALOPECIA and poor taste.
- MNEMONIC: Poor taste, huh? Have you ever had Zinc lozenges? They are disgusting! It’s probably a good thing that you have hypogeusia when you are eating Zinc lozenges!
- IMAGE: www.pbrlinks.com/ZINC1
- IMAGE: www.pbrlinks.com/ZINC2
- IMAGE: www.pbrlinks.com/ZINC3
- IMAGE: www.pbrlinks.com/ZINC4
- PEARLS:
- CROHN’S DISEASE: If a Crohn’s patient is suffering from diarrhea, they may have zinc deficiency since Zn is lost in the stool.
- (DOUBLE TAKE) STRICT VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS are susceptible to multiple nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in IRON, ZINC, CALCIUM, and VITAMIN B12. Vegans avoid all animal-derived products (including milk and eggs). B12 deficiency can result in megaloblastic anemia, vitiligo, peripheral neuropathy, and even regression of milestones.
- MNEMONIC: Did you know giraffes are vegetarian? Imagine a giraffe standing in Times Square reaching its long neck into the sunroof of a FUZZY CAB that has green, grass-like seats and fuzzy floor mats. FUZZY CAB = FeZi CaB12!
(DOUBLE TAKE) ACRODERMATITIS ENTEROPATHICA
Acrodermatitis enteropathica is an inherited condition (autosomal recessive) in which there is a zinc transport defect. It can result in alopecia, diarrhea, failure to thrive (FTT), and the rash of zinc deficiency.
IMAGE: www.pbrlinks.com/ACRODERMATITIS1
COPPER DEFICIENCY
Copper deficiency is rare. It can result in fatigue, neuropathies, and kinky hair.
(DOUBLE TAKE) STRICT VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS
STRICT VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS may be susceptible to multiple nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in IRON, ZINC, CALCIUM, and VITAMIN B12. Vegans avoid all animal-derived products (including milk and eggs). B12 deficiency can result in megaloblastic anemia, vitiligo, peripheral neuropathy, and even regression of milestones.
MNEMONIC: Did you know giraffes are vegetarian? Imagine a giraffe standing in Times Square reaching its long neck into the sunroof of a FUZZY CAB that has green, grass-like seats and fuzzy floor mats. FUZZY CAB = FeZi CaB12!