Seborrheic Dermatitis of Infants: Treatment with Biotin Injections for the Nursing Mother

Four cases of extensive seborrheic dermatitis or Leiner's disease are presented which dramatically improved after the nursing mother was given injections of biotin. The relationship between seborrheic dermatitis in infants and biotin deficiency is discussed and the literature reviewed. From this review it appears that breast milk is deficient in biotin in comparison to cow's milk. The deficiency is further aggravated by poor maternal nutrition. Infection and diarrhea in the infant may also contribute to low blood levels of biotin. On the basis of this limited experience, injections of biotin to the nursing mother appear to be a useful treatment for the breast-fed infant with extensive seborrheic dermatitis.