Recurrent infections in small children could be caused by silent coeliac disease

Salvatore Leonardi, University of Catania, Catania; Giovanna Vitaliti, University of Catania, Catania; Mario La Rosa, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

Backgound.

Today it is known that celiac disease (CD) may be silent or present with atypical extraintestinal symptoms (silent/atypical CD). Case report. The authors report the case of a 3-year-old child in whom the diagnosis of CD was made after several admissions to hospital for recurrent febrile infections and persistently moderate neutropenia. After the beginning of a gluten-free diet, we observed a remission of febrile infections and an increase in neutrophil count until it reached normal ranges. Conclusions. We suggest that recurrent febrile infections and moderate neutropenia be included in the diagnostic workup for atypical/silent CD in the general population.

March 1, 2010 Clinical Pediatrics, Vol. 49, No. 2, 146-149 (2010)

 

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