Minerals deficiency

Zinc deficiency
- acrodermatitis enteropathica is an inherited disorder caused by malabsorption of zinc
- causes dermatitis, growth retardation, severe diarrhea, alopecia, poor wound healing and impaired taste and smell

Selenium deficiency
- rare, except in Keshan (Chine) where soil has low selenium conteny
- causes cardiomyopathy

Copper deficiency
- Menkes' kinky hair syndrome is caused by malabsorption of copper
- causes anemia, growth failure, mental retardation, brittle hair