Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2019 Jul;22(4):407-412. 10.5223/pghn.2019.22.4.407.

Coexistence of Excessive Weight Gain and Celiac Disease in Children: An Unusual Familial Condition

• Calcaterra V
• Regalbuto
• Madè A
• Magistrali M
• Leonard MM
• Cena H

• KMID: 2451582
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2019.22.4.407

Abstract

Excessive weight gain in children diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) is becoming more common. We describe 2 siblings (9-year and 6 months-old female and 6-year and 9 months-old male) with obesity showing attenuated gastrointestinal and atypical symptoms in which CD was diagnosed in the absence of a known family history of CD. After children's diagnosis, CD in their parents was also investigated. It was detected in their father affected by overweight. The presentation of patients with CD has changed. While patients with overweight and obesity commonly have symptoms such as abdominal pain, reflux, headache, and constipation due to lifestyle factors, CD should also be considered in patients with or without a family history of CD. Careful nutritional status assessment and follow-up monitoring after the diagnosis of CD are mandatory, especially in subjects who are already overweight at the presentation of this disease.

Keyword

Celiac disease; Child; Obesity; Familiarity; Overweight

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Celiac Disease*
Child*
Constipation
Diagnosis
Fathers
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Humans
Life Style
Nutritional Status
Obesity
Overweight
Parents
Recognition (Psychology)
Siblings
Weight Gain*

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