Acrodermatitis Enteropathica symptoms usually begin to appear either within the first few days of life in formula fed infants or immediately upon discontinuation of breastfeeding [1]. Appearance of symptoms after change from breast milk to bovine milk indicates that human milk has a protective role which may be due to presence of low molecular binding agents that increase zinc bioavailability [2]. Common early symptoms of AE include the appearance of perleche (angular chelitis), skin lesions, erythematous patches, plaques of dry and scaly skin, and eczematous plaques on the face, scalp, and genital area: these skin dermatitises deteriorate quickly [1]. The lesions gradually begin emerging inside the mouth and then on the hands and feet, accompanied by paronychia and inflammatory dermatitis on the palms, wrinkles on fingers, as well as scaly skin on the neck [3]. Next, diarrhea is one of the most variable symptoms of AE. If it appears and is exacerbated, it could lead to dehydration and loss of essential minerals and electrolytes; which could result in complications with the clinical treatment [1].

Furthermore, lack of growth is often observed in patients, especially in children approaching puberty, within a few weeks after the appearance of the early symptoms. In addition, hypogonadism is seen to start in male patients. Mental and emotional disorders are also common signs and symptoms of AE although they are nonspecific findings. Photophobia usually develops gradually and most medical researchers believe that it is associated with retinal protein disorder, which is caused by zinc deficiency. Other symptoms of AE include anorexia, hypogeusia, hyposmia, and anemia [1].

AE is often fatal in infants. The infants that survive either have a mild form of AE or obtain a great amount of zinc through their diet, leading to the infants having less severe symptoms. However, AE usually results in lack of growth, dwarfism, delayed puberty, hypogonadism in males at puberty, skin dermatitis, frequent infections, prolonged wound healing, and mental disorders [4–6].