Unusual presentation of celiac disease in a child

Abstract

SUMMARY
Celiac disease is a genetic, immunologically mediated small
bowel enteropathy that causes malabsorption. The immune
inflammatory response to gluten frequently causes damage
to many other tissues of the body. We report the association
of celiac disease and alopecia areata in a girl. The
alopecia developed after 11 years nonadherence to a gluten-
free diet; the patient had HLA phenotype DR3/DQW2.
Our patient had IgA class endomysial antibodies, IgA and
IgG antigliadin antibodies and subtotal villous atrophy on
jejunal biopsy. Administration of a gluten-free diet resulted
complete hair growth.
Key words: celiac disease, alopecia areata