Unusual Onset of Celiac Disease and Addison’s Disease in a 12-Year-Old Boy

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 14; no. 8; p. 855
• Main Authors: Miconi, Francesco, Savarese, Emanuela, Miconi, Giovanni, Cabiati, Gabriele, Rapaccini, Valentina, Principi, Nicola, Esposito, Susanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 29.07.2017; MDPI
• Subjects: Abdomen; Addison Disease - drug therapy; Adrenal glands; Autoimmune diseases; Biopsy; Blood; Case Report; Celiac disease; Celiac Disease - diet therapy; Child; Diabetes; Diet, Gluten-Free; Disease; Endocrine disorders; Gluten; Humans; Hydrocortisone - administration & dosage; Hydrocortisone - therapeutic use; Immunoglobulins; Laboratories; Male; Pediatrics; Small intestine; Thyroid gland; autoimmune diseases; celiac disease; Addison’s disease; gluten-free diet
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14080855

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder deriving from an aberrant adaptive immune response against gluten-containing grains in genetically predisposed subjects. In a number of patients, CD is associated with one or more other autoimmune diseases. Primary Addison’s disease (AD) and CD may co-exist, although this association is relatively uncommon in children. In addition, it is not precisely defined whether a gluten-free diet influences the course of AD. Case presentation: A case of CD in a 12-year-old boy presenting as acute adrenal insufficiency is described here. A gluten-free diet had a significant therapeutic role in this case, wherein most of the clinical signs and symptoms of AD disappeared in a few days. In addition, the dosage of cortisol acetate, initially administered to treat the AD, was able to be rapidly reduced. Conclusion: This case highlights that CD can be associated with AD in children, and a gluten-free diet seems to positively influence the course of AD.