A Co-diagnosis of Crohn Disease and Autoimmune Diabetes in an Adolescent Patient

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong, immune-mediated disorder that often occurs in childhood and is becoming increasingly common worldwide. Diagnosis of IBD in children remains difficult due to the spectrum of symptoms, including gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases in children and adolescents. Classic manifestations of T1D in young people include polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal pain, weight loss, and ketoacidosis. However, children with autoimmunity of pancreatic β-cells may remain euglycemic and asymptomatic for many years. An accurate and prompt diagnosis of IBD and T1D is particularly important in children because they can negatively affect growth, psychosocial function and overall well-being. We present a case in which a previously healthy child was co-diagnosed with Crohn disease and T1D during a routine pediatric evaluation in the outpatient clinic of a peripheral secondary hospital.