A child presents with erythematous scaly patches in the perioral region, mucosal ulcers, and impaired epithelial wound healing. The most likely mineral deficiency associated with this condition is?

Correct Answer: A. Zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency presents with a classic triad of perioral/perianal dermatitis, diarrhea, and alopecia (acrodermatitis), collectively known as acrodermatitis dermatitis or part of the Diarrhea-Dermatitis-Alopecia (DDA) syndrome. The perioral erythematous scaly patches, mucosal ulcers, and impaired epithelial wound healing in this child are pathognomonic for zinc deficiency. Zinc is a cofactor for over 300 enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase, DNA polymerase, and metalloproteinases essential for cell division, protein synthesis, and collagen cross-linking. Without adequate zinc, epithelial cells (which have high turnover) cannot regenerate properly, leading to dermatitis and delayed wound healing. Zinc is also critical for immune function—deficiency impairs T-cell mediated immunity, increasing susceptibility to infections. In Indian pediatric practice, zinc deficiency is common in malnourished children, those with chronic diarrhea (which causes zinc loss), and in premature infants fed inadequate zinc supplementation. The diagnosis is confirmed by low serum zinc levels (<60 µg/dL), and treatment with oral zinc supplementation (10–20 mg/day in children) rapidly reverses skin lesions within 1–2 weeks.

Why the other options are wrong

B. Copper deficiency — Copper deficiency causes hypochromic microcytic anemia, neutropenia, and bone demineralization, not perioral dermatitis or mucosal ulcers. While copper is a cofactor for cytochrome c oxidase and lysyl oxidase (collagen cross-linking), copper deficiency typically presents with hematologic and skeletal manifestations, not the characteristic acrodermatitis seen in zinc deficiency. This is an NBE distractor that exploits confusion between trace mineral roles. C. Iron deficiency — Iron deficiency manifests as hypochromic microcytic anemia, koilonychia, glossitis, and angular cheilitis—not the perioral scaly dermatitis or impaired wound healing described. While iron is essential for hemoglobin and cytochrome enzymes, it does not directly regulate epithelial cell turnover or collagen synthesis. The clinical presentation here is distinctly zinc-related, not iron-related. D. Calcium deficiency — Calcium deficiency causes hypocalcemia with tetany, seizures, and skeletal demineralization (rickets in children), not perioral dermatitis or mucosal ulcers. While calcium is vital for cell signaling and bone health, it does not regulate the epithelial regeneration or immune function impaired in this case. This option exploits the broad knowledge that minerals are important, but misses the specific zinc-dermatitis link.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

DDA Syndrome (Zinc Deficiency) Diarrhea, Dermatitis (perioral/perianal), Alopecia = Zinc deficiency. Remember: Dermatitis is the skin clue that points to zinc, not copper or iron. ZINC = Epithelial Repair Zinc → Immunity, Nucleic acid synthesis, Collagen cross-linking = epithelial wound healing. When you see 'impaired wound healing + dermatitis,' think zinc first.

NBE Trap

NBE pairs zinc deficiency with acrodermatitis dermatitis to lure students who conflate it with copper deficiency (which also affects collagen via lysyl oxidase) or iron deficiency (which causes glossitis/cheilitis). The key discriminator is the perioral scaly erythematous patches + impaired wound healing, which is pathognomonic for zinc, not copper or iron.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian pediatric outpatient settings, a malnourished child with perioral dermatitis and recurrent infections should prompt immediate serum zinc measurement and empiric zinc supplementation—the clinical response (skin healing within 2 weeks) is both diagnostic and therapeutic, often more practical than waiting for lab confirmation in resource-limited settings.

_Reference: KD Tripathi Ch. 48 (Trace Elements); Robbins Ch. 9 (Environmental & Nutritional Pathology); Harrison Ch. 75 (Nutritional Deficiencies)_