Celiac Disease and Cystic Fibrosis: Challenges to Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis and celiac disease were considered a single clinical entity for many years. Differentiation between the diseases occurred some time in the 1930s of the 20th Century. Both diseases may present the intestinal malabsorption syndrome and similar clinical manifestations that contribute to difficulties with clinical distinction. We describe a report of two patients with initial diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, who were subsequently diagnosed with celiac disease.

Keywords

• celiac disease
• cystic fibrosis
• malabsorption syndrome
• childhood