Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: a diagnostic challenge in pediatrics

Abstract

The possibility of a causal relationship between gluten intake and the development of symptoms in the absence of celiac disease (CD) and wheat allergy (WA) has recently gained new scientific interest and includes a condition known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). To date, NCGS has been widely described in adults, whereas there is little information about this pathology in pediatric practice. This article presents a clinical case of NCGS in a 6-year-old girl who was admitted to the gastroenterology department of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Pediatrics (Republic of Uzbekistan) with complaints of abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, liquid stools, headaches, and fatigue. The complaints appeared 5 months before hospitalization. Antibodies to tissue transglutaminase IgA were within reference ranges, specific IgE antibodies to wheat and gluten were not elevated. A biopsy from the distal duodenum revealed Marsh-Oberhuber 1 lesions. The patient was switched to a gluten-free diet (GFD) with suspected NCGS. At week 4 of the diet, an improvement was noted, but abdominal bloating persisted. An intolerance to components such as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) was suspected. The use of the FODMAP diet significantly improved the condition. The reintroduction of gluten after 6 weeks resulted in a recurrence of symptoms, confirming the diagnosis of NCGS. Given that the number of gluten-related diseases is increasing, and not much is known about NCGS, we decided to present this case to raise awareness and questions regarding diagnosis, the need for specific monitoring, and treatment. Key words: FODMAP, gluten, children, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, celiac disease