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Cutaneous Signs of Nutritional Disturbances

»	When do skin abnormalities occur in association with nutritional disturbances?
»	Do nutritional disturbances involve the skin exclusively?
»	Which skin changes are seen with protein and calorie deprivation in adults?
»	What is marasmus?
»	What is kwashiorkor?
»	Describe the skin findings in kwashiorkor.
»	How can I remember the differences in skin findings associated with kwashiorkor and marasmus?
»	Do skin abnormalities occur with fat deficiency?
»	Are any skin findings associated with fat excess?
»	Which water-soluble vitamin abnormalities have skin findings?
»	What is beriberi?
»	Name the four “Ds” of pellagra.
»	Describe the dermatitis in pellagra.
»	Does scurvy still exist?
»	Do deficiencies of the fat-soluble vitamins occur?
»	What abnormalities occur with vitamin A deficiency?
»	Is vitamin A excess toxic?
»	What is acrodermatitis enteropathica?
»	Has the gene responsible for inherited acrodermatitis enteropathica been identified?
»	How is acrodermatitis enteropathica diagnosed and treated?
»	Can zinc deficiency be acquired?
»	What is carotenoderma?
»	Has supplementation with micronutrients or homeopathic remedies been associated with any cutaneous disorders?

How is acrodermatitis enteropathica diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis is made by demonstrating low plasma or serum zinc levels. Hair zinc levels reflect only long-term status and may not reflect early deficiency. Oral or intravenous zinc supplementation promotes rapid improvement, with reversal of most clinical manifestations in hours to days. Untreated infants develop failure to thrive, with progressive deterioration and death.