title: Celiac disease in a child with beta-thalassemia major: a need for improved screening and awareness.
abstract: Growth failure is one of the most common problems in children with thalassemia with multiple etiologies. We present a case of celiac disease, an underdiagnosed cause of growth failure in a child with beta-thalassemia major. A 10-year-old boy on a hypertransfusion regimen was referred for early onset growth failure. Serology for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV was negative. Serum zinc levels were normal. Thyroid function tests and growth hormone secretion, evaluated with clonidine stimulation test were normal. Malabsorption syndrome was suspected, even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Tissue transglutaminase were highly raised >300 IU/mL (normal values <15 U/L). Characteristic mucosal lesions on jejunal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of celiac disease. Institution of a gluten-free diet resulted in rapid gain in weight and improvement in height velocity.
authors.affiliation: Thalassemia Unit, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. ankitparakh102@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Ankit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parakh
authors.forename: Sreedharan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sudha
authors.forename: Anand Prakash
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.forename: Aashima
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology