Rhabdomyolysis in celiac disease

A 12-year-old female presented, with chronic diarrhea, fatigue, failure to thrive, sudden weakness of her upper, and lower extremities and inability to walk. On neurological examination, atrophy was found of the lower extremity muscles, coupled with muscle weakness. Hypokalemia and a high creatine kinase (CK) level were detected. Antigliadin IgA, IgG and antiendomysial antibodies were positive. A duodenal biopsy revealed the classical findings of celiac disease. To our knowledge this is the first childhood case of celiac disease presenting with rhabdomyolysis.