Three Siblings with Zinc Deficiency Who Presented with Eczema Due to Low Zinc Content in Breast Milk

Abstract

Zinc deficiency is one of the causes of refractory eczema in breast-fed infants; however, such cases are similar to be food allergy manifestations. We encountered three siblings with zinc deficiency. The first child was diagnosed with and treated for zinc deficiency due to low zinc content in breast milk at four months of age; the treatment for the second child was started early. However, the third child was diagnosed with food allergies by the family doctor owing to a lack of disclosure of the family history of zinc deficiency by the mother. We reaffirmed the need to publicize the existence of reactions due to zinc deficiency and the importance of family history in siblings.