A 14-year-old boy presents with weight loss and diarrhea. His tongue becomes sore and blistery after eating oatmeal or rye bread, which leads to the diagnosis of celiac disease. The boy and his parents are advised to be sensitive to symptoms of tetany and paresthesias since they can occur as a consequence of malabsorption of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Celiac disease can lead to malabsorption of calcium, which is essential for nerve and muscle function. A deficiency can cause symptoms like tetany and paresthesias.  In patients with celiac disease the protein gluten-found in bread, oats, and many other foods containing wheat, barley, or rye-triggers an autoimmune response that causes damage to the small intestine leading to widespread manifestations of malabsorption. Calcium is difficult to absorb, so patients frequently experience symptoms of hypocalcemia such as muscle cramping, tetanic contractions, numbness, and tingling sensations. For sensory and motor nerves, calcium is a critical second messenger involved in normal cell function, neural transmission, and cell membrane stability. The nerves respond to a lack of calcium with hyperexcitability.

A 14-Year-Old Boy Presents with Weight Loss and Diarrhea