We retrospectively reviewed the charts of our neuromuscular clinic/EMG laboratory database from January 1, 2015 to October 15, 2018 to identify patients with peripheral neuropathy and zinc deficiency. Subjects who had an abnormal copper level were excluded. Data were obtained including clinical presentations, comorbidities, body mass index, neurological examinations, laboratory findings and records of nerve conduction studies and needle electromyograms.

Twenty patients (age: 57.0±13.9 years; Male/Female=8/12; zinc=53.3±5.3 mcg/dL, range 37-58 [normal=60-130 mcg/dL]; copper=106.2±24.0 mcg/dL, range 75-173, [normal=72-175 mcg/dL]) were included. Of them 18 patients received electrophysiologic evaluations.  The notable findings in presentation included paresthesia (75%) and gait abnormalities (70%). Four had diarrhea (20%). Neurological examination showed sensory deficits (75%), hypo- (45%) and hyper- (20%) tendon reflexes, unsteady gait (65%) and an abnormal Romberg test (55%). Cerebrospinal fluid protein was increased in 3/6 subjects. Electrophysiologic evaluations showed evidence of mononeuropathy, mononeuropathy multiplex or polyneuropathy. Detailed results of clinical, laboratory and electrodiagnostic findings will be presented.