Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Epilepsy and coeliac disease in children: a narrative review
L Lonoce1, E Laschi1, M Minerva1,2
1Clinical Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.
Insights
Children with celiac disease (CD) have a higher risk of developing epilepsy. This review summarizes current data on epilepsy prevalence, seizure types, and management in pediatric CD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Neurological symptoms, including epilepsy, are recognized as extraintestinal manifestations in 3%-10% of pediatric celiac disease (CD) patients.
- Epilepsy affects approximately 1% of children with CD, indicating an elevated risk within this population.
- A comprehensive review of epidemiological data, seizure semiology, and EEG findings for epilepsy in pediatric CD is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current epidemiological data on epilepsy prevalence in children with CD.
- To describe seizure semiology in pediatric CD patients according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification.
- To outline the management strategies for epilepsy in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of existing literature was conducted.
- Data on prevalence, seizure semiology, and management were synthesized.
- Recent classifications from the ILAE were utilized for semiology description.
Main Results:
- Epidemiological data are heterogeneous due to varying study inclusion criteria, but some studies indicate an increased risk of epilepsy in CD patients.
- Children with CD may have a higher risk of certain epilepsies, such as idiopathic generalized epilepsies.
- Common seizure types include generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizures (temporal/occipital); CEC syndrome (CD, epilepsy, calcification) is noted in a subgroup. Response to a gluten-free diet varies.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should recognize epilepsy as a potential neurological extraintestinal manifestation of CD.
- Early identification and appropriate investigations are crucial for managing epilepsy in children with CD.
- Awareness of this association aids in timely diagnosis and management of pediatric CD patients with neurological symptoms.
Background:
Neurological symptoms have been reported as extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in 3%-10% of children diagnosed with Coeliac disease (CD). Specifically, the prevalence of epilepsy has been reported to be approximately 1% in pediatric patients with CD, and this population shows an increased risk of developing epilepsy. However, there is still no comprehensive review of epidemiological data, seizure semiology, and electroencephalographic findings of epilepsy in pediatric patients with CD.
Methods:
We conducted a narrative review to provide the most recent data regarding prevalence of epilepsy in CD children, describe the typical seizure semiology reported in literature according to the recent classification of International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and illustrate the management of epilepsy in this specific population.
Results:
Epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of epilepsy in CD children and vice versa are heterogenous due to different inclusion criteria considered in various studies. Overall, an increased risk of epileptic disorder in CD patients has been described in some studies. On the other hand, a higher risk of CD has been reported in children diagnosed with certain types of epileptic disorders [e.g., idiopathic generalized epilepsies]. In terms of seizure semiology, the majority of children with CD present with generalized tonic-clonic seizures or focal seizures, usually of temporal or occipital origin. However, few other patients may experience other types of seizures, such as typical and atypical absences. A subgroup of CD patients presenting with occipital seizures and occipital calcifications on neuroimaging can be diagnosed with CEC syndrome (CD, epilepsy and calcification). A different response to gluten free diet in terms of seizure control has been observed in CD patients.
Conclusions:
Clinicians should be aware of this possible neurological EIMs of CD in order to facilitate early recognition and refer patients for further investigations when required.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
01:13Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
01:14Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
01:17Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
01:18Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...