Atypical presentation of cystic fibrosis in an infant

Abstract

Dermatopathy as an initial manifestation of cystic fibrosis (CF) in the newborn period is unusual. The eruption is usually first noted in the perineum, typically appears in infancy from age 2 weeks to 15 months after birth. It subsequently spreads to the extremities and trunk. We report a two months old male baby who presented with failure to thrive, hypoproteinaemia, anaemia and a cutaneous eruption resembling acrodermatitis enteropathica. Oral zinc supplementation resulted in temporary resolution of the dermatitis. A further work-up revealed the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.The rash was responsive to nutritional and pancreatic enzyme supplementation.

Keywords

• dermatitis
• cystic fibrosis
• failure to thrive