Zinc deficiency

• Facts:
  Zinc is an essential mineral found in animal protein, whole grains, beans and nuts
• History / PE:
  Alopecia
  Abnormal taste
  Impaired wound healing
  Bullous, pustulous lesions (body orifices and/or extremities)
• Associated With:
  Patients on TPN formulations that lack zinc
  Malabsorption (zinc digested primarily in the jejunum)
• Differential Diagnosis:
  Selenium deficiency (similar clinical picture to zinc deficiency and also seen in patients on TPN) see cardiomyopathy