Celiac crisis as the life-threatening onset of celiac disease in children: a case report

Angela Mauro; Francesca Casini; Antonella Talenti; Clelia Di Mari; Anna Rita Benincaso; Giovanni Di Nardo; Luca Bernardo

doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1163765

Celiac crisis as the life-threatening onset of celiac disease in children: a case report

Front Pediatr. 2023 May 12:11:1163765. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1163765. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Angela Mauro¹, Francesca Casini², Antonella Talenti¹, Clelia Di Mari¹, Anna Rita Benincaso¹, Giovanni Di Nardo³, Luca Bernardo¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Childhood and Developmental Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milan, Italy.
² Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
³ Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome-NESMOS Department, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. In rare cases, CD may occur with a severe potential life-threatening manifestation known as a celiac crisis (CC). This may be a consequence of a delayed diagnosis and expose patients to possible fatal complications. We report the case of a 22-month-old child admitted to our hospital for a CC characterized by weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea associated with a malnutrition state. Early identification of symptoms of CC is essential to provide a prompt diagnosis and management.

Keywords: case report; celiac crisis; celiac disease; diarrhea; hypoalbuminemia; pediatrics.

Publication types

Case Reports