Celiac disease in an obese child with down syndrome

Patients with Down syndrome are predisposed to autoimmune disease and have a higher risk for type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disorders, alopecia, vitiligo, hypoparathyroidism and celiac disease. Diarrhea and malabsorption represent the typical presentation of celiac disease, while obesity or weight gain are uncommon in young children. We report an 8-year-old obese girl with Down syndrome who was diagnosed as celiac disease in the absence of signs and symptoms. We would suggest that even in absence of signs and symptoms, the children with Down syndrome should be screened annually for celiac disease even owing to obesity.