Gevolgen van coeliakie bij een jonge vluchteling

Unaccompanied minor refugees (UMRs), particularly from regions like Syria, Eritrea, and Iraq, face significant healthcare challenges in the Netherlands. Their unique medical and psychosocial needs necessitate a culturally sensitive diagnostic approach and coordinated care. Chronic conditions linked to nutritional deficiencies, such as celiac disease, are of particular concern. Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder triggered by gluten, leading to inflammation and malabsorption in the intestines. We present a case of a 16-year-old Eritrean UMR who, after a lengthy migration, arrived with anemia, gastrointestinal issues, and nutritional deficiencies. Diagnostic tests revealed anemia, intramedullary hemolysis, and vitamin B12 deficiency, with endoscopy confirming celiac disease and chronic gastritis. Treatment included a blood transfusion, vitamin B12 supplementation, a gluten-free diet, and multidisciplinary follow-up, resulting in significant clinical improvement within weeks. This case highlights the necessity of culturally sensitive, comprehensive care for chronic conditions in UMRs.

Conflict of interest and financial support: ICMJE forms provided by the authors are available online along with the full text of this article.