Recurrent febrile infections and neutropenia in a child with silent celiac disease

Background: Today it is known that celiac disease (CD) may be silent or present with atypical extraintestinal symptoms (silent/atypical CD). Case report: The authors report the case of a 3-year-old child in whom the diagnosis of CD was made after several admissions to hospital for recurrent febrile infections and persistently moderate neutropenia. After the beginning of a gluten-free diet, we observed a remission of febrile infections and an increase in neutrophil count until it reached normal ranges. Conclusions: We suggest that recurrent febrile infections and moderate neutropenia be included in the diagnostic workup for atypical/silent CD in the general population.