Case Rep Dermatol. 2021 May 27;13(2):257-262. doi: 10.1159/000514153.eCollection May-Aug 2021.

Gadi Howard ^1 2, Amir Horev ^3 4, Benzion Samueli ⁵, Baruch Yerushalmi ^6 4

Author information

• ¹Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
• ²Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
• ³Pediatric Dermatology Service, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
• ⁴Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
• ⁵Department of Pathology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
• ⁶Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Abstract

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease, affecting multiple systems and organs including several dermatological conditions. Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is also an immune-mediated condition, in which an association with celiac disease has not thus far been recognized. We present an interesting case report of a 10-year-old child with a recent diagnosis of celiac disease presenting with morphea. Following treatment and adherence to a gluten-free diet, the morphea rapidly resolved. We suggest a possible relationship between the two entities and give a brief review of the relevant literature. We suggest that morphea might be one of the many dermatological manifestations of celiac disease, with possible implications for the need to screen patients with morphea for celiac disease.