Evaluation of the Serum Zinc Level in Some Pigmentary Skin Disorders

Background: Pigmentary disorders are a common presentation in dermatology and the appearance of either hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation can be a major psychosocial problem to the patients. Melanin pigment is the most important substance determining human skin color. It produced by melanocyte cells during melanogenesis. Zinc in combination with other micronutrients has an essential function in melanogenesis process.

Aim of Work: The aim of the study was to assess serum zinc level in patients with pigmentary disorders compared to healthy control subjects.

Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on a total of 189 patients with pigmentary disorders (96 with hypopigmented and 93 with hyperpigmented disorders) and 50 apparently healthy controls. Serum zinc level was measured in all groups using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

Results: The mean serum zinc level was in the hypopigmented, hyperpigmented disorders patients were 71.87 ± 20.23 and 72.36 ± 18.69, respectively, while the mean serum zinc level in controls was 87.48 ± 31.50, with the serum zinc level in patients with hypopigmented disorders was significantly lower than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). The average zinc level in the three groups was found to be within the normal reference range.

Conclusion: Serum zinc level was within normal range in both patients and control groups. On the other hand, serum zinc level in pigmentary disorders was lower than that of control group with a statistically significance difference only between hypo pigmented disorders and control group.