Celiac crisis/refeeding syndrome combination: new mechanism for an old complication

Celiac Crisis: A Rare Medical Emergency Case Report in Adult Celiac Disease

Celiac crisis (CC) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of celiac disease (CD), characterized by severe diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances, and metabolic disturbances. We report the case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman presented significant dehydration, weight loss, and steatorrheic stools. Diagnosis was confirmed by duodenal biopsy, with rapid improvement following a gluten-free diet (GFD) and corticosteroids. The diagnosis of CC was established based on the acute clinical presentation and rapid improvement following a GFD and corticosteroid therapy. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and prompt management of CC, particularly in undiagnosed or untreated CD, to prevent severe maternal and fetal complications.

Celiac Crisis: A Life-Threatening Complication of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy with varied systemic involvement and association with increased morbidity and mortality. Strong clinical suspicion is the key, and diagnosis is made using histopathology and serology. Though the consumption of a strict gluten-free diet can improve symptoms and limit mucosal damage, curative therapy is still lacking. Significant clinical improvement can be seen after treatment with immunosuppressive therapy; however, there is no definitive role of immunosuppression in preventing complications. Celiac crisis (CC), a serious and life-threatening complication of CD, is characterized by acute onset and rapid progression of gastrointestinal manifestations associated with metabolic and electrolyte disturbances and neurological and renal dysfunction. Management comprises urgent hospitalization, fluid resuscitation, correction of electrolyte imbalance, and albumin infusion. Early identification and diagnosis of CD and timely initiation of a gluten-free diet with proper compliance are of paramount importance in preventing complications, including CC. Regular follow-up after diagnosis is a good approach to assessing adherence to the gluten-free diet, disease activity, and screening for complications. With the advent of improved diagnostic facilities and access to the health care system, timely diagnosis, and efficient management, prognosis has improved significantly in recent years.

Celiac crisis, transient hypertransaminasemia and positive smooth muscle antibodies (SMA): A celiac disease case report

Celiac crisis (CC) is a rare complication of celiac disease (CD), usually observed in younger children with unrecognized CD or poor compliance with a gluten-free diet (GFD). We present a case of celiac crisis in a 3-year-old girl who was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. She was referred to our clinic with anasarca, tetany, and severe malnutrition, with hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypoalbuminemia. During hospitalization, she presented hypertransaminasemia with positive anti-actin smooth muscle antibodies (SMA). Abdominal ultrasound and liver biopsy were normal, excluding autoimmune hepatitis. Liver involvement is a common CD extraintestinal manifestation and cryptogenic form is the most common. SMA positivity could be associated with a systemic immune cross reaction. Our patient normalized liver values after 2 months of GFD.

Celiac crisis as the life-threatening onset of celiac disease in children: a case report

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. In rare cases, CD may occur with a severe potential life-threatening manifestation known as a celiac crisis (CC). This may be a consequence of a delayed diagnosis and expose patients to possible fatal complications. We report the case of a 22-month-old child admitted to our hospital for a CC characterized by weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea associated with a malnutrition state. Early identification of symptoms of CC is essential to provide a prompt diagnosis and management.

Refeeding syndrome in the gastroenterology practice: how concerned should we be?

Clinical nutrition is emerging as a major area in gastroenterology practice. Most gastrointestinal disorders interfere with digestive physiology and compromise nutritional status. Refeeding syndrome (RS) may increase morbidity and mortality in gastroenterology patients. Literature search using the keywords "Refeeding Syndrome", "Hypophosphatemia", "Hypomagnesemia" and "Hypokalemia". Data regarding definition, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, risk factors, management and prevention of RS were collected. Most evidence comes from case reports, narrative reviews and scarse observational trials. RS results from the potentially fatal shifts in fluid and electrolytes that may occur in malnourished patients receiving nutritional therapy. No standard definition is established and epidemiologic data is lacking. RS is characterized by hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, vitamin deficiency and abnormal glucose metabolism. Oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition may precipitate RS. Awareness and risk stratification using NICE criteria is essential to prevent and manage malnourished patients. Nutritional support should be started using low energy replacement and thiamine supplementation. Correction of electrolytes and fluid imbalances must be started before feeding. Malnourished patients with inflammatory bowel disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic intestinal failure and patients referred for endoscopic gastrostomy due to prolonged dysphagia present high risk of RS, in the gastroenterology practice. RS should be considered before starting nutritional support. Preventive measures are crucial, including fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy, vitamin supplementation and use of hypocaloric regimens. Gastroenterology patients must be viewed as high risk patients but the impact of RS in the outcome is not clearly defined in current literature.