Cystic fibrosis and celiac disease--multifaceted and similar

Nelly D Genkova1, Ivan V Yankov1, Miroslava N Bosheva1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics

Folia Medica
|April 10, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This report details a rare case of a child with both cystic fibrosis and celiac disease, highlighting the importance of screening for celiac disease in children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pulmonology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Celiac disease and cystic fibrosis share overlapping clinical symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
  • The comorbidity of these two conditions is exceptionally rare, estimated at 1:200,000.

Observation:

  • A case study of a 1-year-and-5-month-old child presenting with chronic diarrhea was investigated.
  • The child exhibited symptoms suggestive of both cystic fibrosis and celiac disease.

Findings:

  • Cystic fibrosis was diagnosed via pulmonogram and positive sweat tests, with malabsorption managed.
  • Celiac disease was confirmed through immunological (anti-transglutaminase IgA antibodies) and histological tests, with symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet.
  • This represents the first reported case of concomitant cystic fibrosis and celiac disease in a child in Bulgaria.

Implications:

  • The findings underscore the necessity of considering celiac disease screening in pediatric patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis of both conditions is crucial for effective management and improved patient outcomes.

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