Celiac disease in an obese child with down syndrome

Abstract

Patients with Down syndrome are predisposed to autoimmune disease and havea higher risk for type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disorders, alopecia, vitiligo,hypoparathyroidism and celiac disease. Diarrhea and malabsorption representthe typical presentation of celiac disease, while obesity or weight gain areuncommon in young children. We report an 8-year-old obese girl with Downsyndrome who was diagnosed as celiac disease in the absence of signs andsymptoms. We would suggest that even in absence of signs and symptoms, thechildren with Down syndrome should be screened annually for celiac disease even owing to obesity.