Zinc deficiency classically presents with all of the following EXCEPT:

• A Acrodermatitis enteropathica (periorificial dermatitis)
• B Peripheral neuropathy with megaloblastic anaemia ✓
• C Hypogonadism and growth retardation
• D Impaired wound healing and immune dysfunction

Explanation

Peripheral neuropathy with megaloblastic anaemia is characteristic of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, not zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency manifests as acrodermatitis enteropathica (autosomal recessive SLC39A4 mutation causing malabsorption), hypogonadism (zinc is essential for testosterone synthesis), growth retardation, impaired wound healing, alopecia, and immune dysfunction (zinc-dependent thymulin). Zinc is a cofactor for >300 enzymes.

Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.