Hypoalbuminemia and Generalized Edema as the Presenting Symptoms of Celiac Disease in a Two-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report.

Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic, immune-mediated enteropathy that occurs following dietary consumption of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The global prevalence of celiac disease is estimated to be approximately 1.4%, with variation based on age, sex, and geographic location. CD typically presents early in life with diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, weight loss, and impaired growth. In severe cases, patients with CD can present in a state of celiac crisis (CC), classically characterized with profuse diarrhea and life-threatening metabolic derangements.

Case presentation: In this report, we discuss a 23-month-old girl in a state of CC who presented atypically with hypoalbuminemia, generalized edema, and constipation.

Conclusion: Even in the presence of atypical symptoms, such as edema or constipation, CD should be considered as a differential diagnosis in pediatric patients with severe gastrointestinal disturbances. Additionally, we propose a revised definition of CC that is specific to the pediatric population.