Extra-Digestive Manifestations of Celiac Disease: A Case Study and Review of Literature

Abstract

Celiac disease is a multisystem autoimmune condition characterized by an inappropriate immune response to gluten. Typical symptoms involve digestive issues, stunted growth, and malabsorption syndrome. However, extra-digestive autoimmune manifestations may precede or develop concurrently with the digestive symptoms during the disease's progression, complicating the diagnosis and prognosis. We present a case of a 9-year-old girl initially followed for alopecia and epilepsy. The diagnosis of celiac disease was established during the assessment for nutritional rickets. The disease's progression under a gluten-free diet was marked by the onset of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), necessitating substitutive treatment.