Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare inherited childhood disorder that results in the inability to absorb adequate amounts of zinc from the diet. Anyone who is severely zinc deficient can develop the same symptoms that occur in the inherited form of this disorder.  

Symptoms of acrodermatitis enteropathica include skin lesions, hair loss, and diarrhea. If untreated, the condition can result in death during infancy or early childhood.