Question
A child was born with black hair but around 40 days later, the ends of the hair started to turn yellow. Now, the hair on the top of the head has completely turned yellow, while hair on other parts remains normal. The doctor suspects it might be phenylketonuria. Could hair turning yellow be caused by other factors or diseases? Which hospital has more professional diagnostic techniques?
Answer
The symptoms of zinc deficiency mainly include anorexia, as zinc deficiency can lead to a decline in taste bud function and taste perception, thereby affecting appetite and digestion. Additionally, zinc deficiency may cause delayed growth and development, thinning hair, and yellowing of the hair. Children with zinc deficiency have lower immunity and are prone to various diseases such as diarrhea and colds. Zinc supplementation is mainly achieved through dietary intake, such as consuming foods rich in zinc like fish, lean meat, animal liver, egg yolks, dairy products, and seafood like oysters, dried scallops, and hard-shelled foods like chestnuts, walnuts, and peanuts. Chinese medicine for zinc supplementation can also be effective, for example, Polygonum multiflorum has a high zinc content.