Neurological Manifestations of Celiac Disease in Children and Adults

Review Article

Aaron Lerner^1, Badira F. Makhoul² and Rami Eliakim³

Affiliation : ¹Pediatric Gastroenterology and nutrition Unit, Carmel Medical Center and ²Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus and ^1,2Bruce Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion-Israel institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

ABSTRACT

Celiac disease (CD) is a common, life-long, autoimmune condition, affecting the small intestine of genetically susceptible individuals. The classical clinical picture is disappearing as awareness progresses and the extra-intestinal presentation is emerging. Skin, endocrine, hepatic, skeletal, hematological, gynecological, infertility, dental, and behavioral abnormalities are emerging. Among the new growing domains is the extra-intestinal presentation of CD affecting the peripheral and central neurological systems. This review highlights neurological presentations in these patients, focusing on the clinical signs/symptoms in the pediatric and the adult age group, separately.

Keywords: Celiac disease, neurology, children, adults

Correspondence: Rami Eliakim, Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Bat Galim, Haifa, Israel, 31096. Tel: +972-4-854-3784; Fax: +972-4-854-3058; e-mail: r_eliakim@rambam.health.gov.il