Recurrent febrile infections and neutropenia in a child with silent celiac disease.
BACKGROUND
Today it is known that celiac disease (CD) may be silent or present with atypical extraintestinal symptoms (silent/atypical CD).


METHODS
The authors report the case of a 3-year-old child in whom the diagnosis of CD was made after several admissions to hospital for recurrent febrile infections and persistently moderate neutropenia. After the beginning of a gluten-free diet, we observed a remission of febrile infections and an increase in neutrophil count until it reached normal ranges.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that recurrent febrile infections and moderate neutropenia be included in the diagnostic workup for atypical/silent CD in the general population.
Leonardi
Salvatore
S
University of Catania, Catania, Italy. leonardi@unict.it
Vitaliti
Giovanna
G
La Rosa
Mario
M
D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence