Acquired zinc deficiency in alcoholic liver cirrhosis: report of two cases.

Acquired zinc deficiency in two patients suffering from alcoholic liver cirrhosis is reported. Skin changes included bullae and erosions on the heels, desquamating dermatitis on feet, hands and shins, and localized alopecia. Following oral zinc therapy the skin changes disappeared and Beau lines were later seen on the finger nails. Concomitantly with the rise in the depressed plasma zinc levels, serum alkaline phosphatase and prothrombin levels rose and serum bilirubin decreased. The observations are in agreement with earlier reports dealing with congenital and conditioned zinc deficiency and oral zinc therapy in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.