Third reported case of rare necrolytic migratory erythema associated with bacteraemia due to severe zinc deficiency after revisional Roux-En-Y gastric bypass: case report and literature review

Introduction

Obesity is a risk factor for zinc deficiency. After bariatric surgery, non-compliance to diet/vitamin supplements, surgical complications leading to vomiting/diarrhea, poor follow-up and malabsorption can precipitate or exacerbate pre-existing zinc deficiency.

Case report

We report a patient with rare necrolytic migratory erythema associated with bacteraemia due to severe zinc deficiency after revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (following primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy).

Conclusion

Bariatric teams should screen patients before bariatric surgery for nutritional deficiencies and continue surveillance of their nutritional status after surgery. They should maintain a high index of suspicion for zinc deficiency in patients with skin rash after bariatric surgery.

Level of evidence

Level V, case report.

Other Information

Published in: Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01154-z