Acrodermatitis enteropathica–like eruption and failure to thrive as presenting signs of cystic fibrosis

We describe a female infant with an acrodermatitis enteropathica–like eruption as the presenting sign of rapidly fatal cystic fibrosis. The patient had growth retardation, developed an erythematous eruption unresponsive to oral zinc, and finally a generalized erosive dermatitis with associated edema, anemia and hypoproteinemia.