Which nutritional deficiency can be a complication of celiac disease?

Which nutritional deficiency can be a complication of celiac disease?

• A. Iron deficiency
• B. Copper deficiency
• C. Vitamin A deficiency
• D. Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer: (A)

Celiac disease injures the proximal small intestine, where iron is primarily absorbed, so the reduced absorptive surface leads to iron deficiency and often iron-deficiency anemia. This makes iron deficiency a common and characteristic nutritional complication of the condition. Copper deficiency is less typical and usually arises with broader malabsorption or other issues. Vitamin A deficiency occurs with fat malabsorption, which can happen if there’s significant steatorrhea, but iron deficiency is the more common and classic finding in celiac disease. Vitamin B12 deficiency is less likely because B12 absorption occurs in the terminal ileum, which is usually spared in standard celiac involvement unless the disease is extensive.

Celiac disease injures the proximal small intestine, where iron is primarily absorbed, so the reduced absorptive surface leads to iron deficiency and often iron-deficiency anemia. This makes iron deficiency a common and characteristic nutritional complication of the condition.

Copper deficiency is less typical and usually arises with broader malabsorption or other issues. Vitamin A deficiency occurs with fat malabsorption, which can happen if there’s significant steatorrhea, but iron deficiency is the more common and classic finding in celiac disease. Vitamin B12 deficiency is less likely because B12 absorption occurs in the terminal ileum, which is usually spared in standard celiac involvement unless the disease is extensive.