Coeliac disease and alopecia areata in childhood.
Coeliac 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 coeliac disease and alopecia areata in two children, a 13-year-old girl and a 29-month-old girl. Both of our patients had immunoglobulin A (IgA) class endomysial antibodies, IgA and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antigliadin antibodies and subtotal villous atrophy on jejunal biopsy. Administration of a gluten-free diet to our patients resulted in complete hair growth and improved the gastrointestinal symptoms.
Fessatou
S
S
Second Department of Pediatrics, P & A Kyriakou, Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. vasilios.apostolou@siemens.gr
Kostaki
M
M
Karpathios
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005983:Glutens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005983:Glutens