Rapid improvement in dermatitis after zinc supplementation in a patient with Crohn's disease

We describe a patient with Crohn's disease in whom dermatitis secondary to zinc deficiency resolved rapidly with zinc supplementation. Diagnosed with kwashiorkor and presumed zinc deficiency, the patient was treated with nasogastric suction and total parenteral nutrition including dextrose, amino acids, lipid emulsion, maintenance doses of 12 vitamins, and zinc, copper, manganese, and chromium. In addition, he received supplemental intravenous zinc, bringing his total zinc intake to 16 mg/day