Morphea Associated with Celiac Disease and Hearing Loss: more than one Localized Disease

Received: Jan 16, 2013 Accepted: Feb 13, 2013 Ann Paediatr Rheum 2013; 2:50-55 DOI: 10.5455/apr. 021320131602 Introduction Morphea or Localized scleroderma (LS) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by localized, circumscribed sclerotic patches, or plaques with variable pigmentation. LS has been differentiated from systemic sclerosis based upon the clinical findings of almost exclusive cutaneous involvement (typically with some involvement of the underlying musculature) with absence of internal organ involvement. Morphea is associated with systemic manifestations and autoimmunity, but the prevalence of these findings remains unclear. In patients with LS there is an increased incidence of autoimmune disorders, but few publications have reported the coexistence of celiac disease (CD) and hearing loss (HL) in morphea. Abstract