Association between Celiac Disease and Intussusceptions in Children: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Gastrointestinal Diseases
• Autoimmune Disorders

Background:

• Intussusception is a common pediatric surgical emergency.
• Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, is typically diagnosed in older children and adults.
• The association between celiac disease and intussusception in pediatric populations is infrequently reported.

Observation:

• Two pediatric cases (ages 5 and 7) with celiac disease presented initially with intussusception.
• Both patients exhibited symptoms of failure to thrive, abdominal distention, and vomiting.
• Ultrasonography revealed characteristic 'donut' and 'pseudo-kidney' signs indicative of intussusception.

Findings:

• One patient's intussusception resolved spontaneously; the other required surgical intervention.
• Elevated tissue transglutaminase levels and duodenal biopsy findings confirmed celiac disease in both patients.
• Intussusception preceded the diagnosis of celiac disease and failure to thrive in these cases.

Implications:

• This case series highlights the importance of considering celiac disease in children presenting with intussusception, especially when accompanied by growth failure.
• Routine celiac disease screening in children with intussusception and failure to thrive may facilitate earlier diagnosis and management.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking celiac disease and intussusception in children.