Celiac disease as a manifestation of Munchausen by proxy

In typical cases of Munchausen by proxy maltreatment, a mother feigns or produces illness in her child. Her primary goal is to accrue emotional gratification, and no mental disorder better accounts for the behavior. We present the first published case in which the principal manufactured ailment was celiac sprue. In addition, a panoply of other ailments ranging from seizures to behavioral abnormalities was reported. The case is also very unusual in the involvement of the paternal grandmother and, to a lesser extent, the paternal grandfather as the perpetrators. Although definitive intervention to protect the child occurred only after 7 years had passed, multidisciplinary teamwork ultimately resulted in a successful outcome for the child, who is now doing well.