Morphological Evaluation of Micronutrient Deficiency Dermatoses in Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Abena Minta Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Rachel M. Kirven Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4312-0670
  • Ty Gilkey Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Claire Kovalchin Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Abraham M. Korman Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • John C. Trinidad Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Catherine Chung Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Benjamin H. Kaffenberger Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8079-0011

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18061/ad.v3i1.9585

Keywords:

General dermatology, medical dermatology, vitamin deficiency, nutrient deficiency, clinical research, micronutrient deficiency dermatoses, inpatient dermatology

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: While micronutrient deficiencies are associated with classic dermatologic manifestations, there may be associated cutaneous lesions which are nonspecific. Failure to recognize heterogeneous nutritional dermatoses may result in the underdiagnosis of nutritional disease.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis of 531 inpatients with dermatological conditions and laboratory confirmed micronutrient deficiencies were queried from a single institution healthcare database. Demographics and hospital outcomes were extracted from hospital records. Morphologies and locations of cutaneous lesions were extracted using a formal template from consult notes.

RESULTS: The average affected patient was overweight (mean BMI of 31.3 ±10.4 kg/m2), and less than 30% had combined protein-calorie malnutrition. Psychiatric disease (n=195, 36.7%) and chronic liver disease (n=105, 19.2%) were frequent comorbid conditions. Overall, nonspecific cutaneous presentations (n=252, 47.5%) were more common than classic presentations (n=140, 26.4%) among patients with vitamin C, A, zinc, and/or B-complex deficiencies.

CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for micronutrient deficiencies, even in the absence of classic disease associations to facilitate laboratory testing and early intervention.

Photograph of a patient with scurvy.

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Published

2025-07-18

How to Cite

Minta, A., Kirven, R. M., Gilkey, T., Kovalchin , C., Korman, A. M., Trinidad, J. C., Chung, C., & Kaffenberger, B. H. (2025). Morphological Evaluation of Micronutrient Deficiency Dermatoses in Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. cademic ermatology, 3(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.18061/ad.v3i1.9585

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Observational Study

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Abena Minta, Rachel M. Kirven, Ty Gilkey, Claire Kovalchin , Abraham M. Korman, John C. Trinidad, Catherine Chung, Benjamin H. Kaffenberger

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