An unusual case of chronic abdominal pain: An association between Celiac disease and Crohn's disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and Celiac disease (CeD) are immune-mediated gastrointestinal diseases with incompletely understood etiology. Both diseases show a multifactorial origin with a complex interplay between genetic, environmental factors, and some components of the commensal microbiota. The coexistence of celiac disease with Crohn's disease is rarely reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of a 13-year-old Syrian male who presented with a history of abdominal pain, anorexia and pallor. CeD and Crohn's disease was documented on gastrointestinal endoscopy and histological study. The patient was treated with a gluten-free, low fiber, high caloric diet, and a course of oral corticosteroids with an improvement in growth rate and abdominal pain.