A 10-year-old girl visits her pediatrician.The physician notes that the girl has immature secondary sex characteristics and small stature.Her mother who has accompanied her complains that the adolescent also exhibits very slow healing of cuts and scrapes and has had some hair loss.Your laboratory has ruled out any inborn error of metabolism and possible cancer.Deficiency of what trace element might be responsible for the stated symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The stated symptoms are characteristic of Zinc deficiency. Zinc is an essential trace element that is necessary for growth and development, immune function, wound healing, and maintenance of healthy skin and hair. Zinc deficiency can cause delayed growth, underdevelopment of sexual characteristics, delayed wound healing, and hair loss.

A 10-Year-Old Girl Visits Her Pediatrician