Dietary zinc deficiency
Chapter 4:Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
ICD-10 E60 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of dietary zinc deficiency.
Dietary zinc deficiency is a condition resulting from inadequate intake of zinc, an essential trace element crucial for numerous biological functions. Zinc plays a vital role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Deficiency can lead to a range of clinical manifestations, including growth retardation, hair loss, diarrhea, delayed wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infections. In children, zinc deficiency can impair growth and cognitive development. The condition is often associated with malnutrition, particularly in populations with limited access to diverse diets rich in zinc, such as those relying heavily on cereals and grains. Symptoms may be subtle and can easily be overlooked, making clinical diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis typically involves dietary assessment, clinical evaluation, and sometimes serum zinc level measurement. Treatment primarily involves dietary modification to include zinc-rich foods (such as meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy, and whole grains) and may require supplementation in cases of severe deficiency. Monitoring and follow-up are essential to ensure adequate zinc levels are restored and maintained.
Detailed dietary assessments, patient history, and clinical symptoms must be documented.
Patients presenting with growth issues, delayed wound healing, or recurrent infections.
Consideration of cultural dietary practices and potential food allergies that may affect zinc intake.
Growth charts, developmental assessments, and dietary intake logs are essential.
Children with failure to thrive or developmental delays.
Monitoring for signs of deficiency in high-risk populations, such as those with malabsorption syndromes.
Used when a patient is referred for dietary counseling due to zinc deficiency.
Document the patient's nutritional assessment and treatment plan.
Nutritionists should ensure comprehensive dietary logs are maintained.
Common symptoms include growth retardation, hair loss, diarrhea, delayed wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of dietary assessment, clinical evaluation, and laboratory tests measuring serum zinc levels.
Foods rich in zinc include meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy products, and whole grains.
Yes, zinc deficiency can be treated with dietary modifications and zinc supplementation, especially in cases of severe deficiency.
