Abstracto

Acute Labyrinthitis and Celiac Disease in Pediatric Age: A Possible Association?

Gamboa I, Sousa P, Delfim D and Oliveira N

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated inflammatory enteropathy that affects about 1% of the world's population. Extra-intestinal manifestations are recognized, namely sensorineural hearing loss, which, although rare, may occur at pediatric ages. The case of a 12-year-old female patient with clinical signs of acute labyrinthitis concomitant to the diagnosis of celiac disease is presented. It is recognized that immuno-mediated diseases, of which celiac disease is an example, can affect the inner ear or the vestibular-cochlear nerve. There are several studies in the literature about the prevalence of sensorineural hearing losss in children with celiac disease, but to date there are no published cases of acute labyrinthitis in the context of this pathology at pediatric ages.