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Coeliac disease in children
Alessio Fasano1, Carlo Catassi
1School of Medicine, Mucosal Biology Research Center and Center for Celiac Research, University of Maryland, 22 S. Pine St HSFII Building, Room 345, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. afasano@mbrc.umaryland.edu
Insights
Coeliac disease (CD) presents with a wide spectrum of symptoms in children, from typical malabsorption to silent or latent cases. Early diagnosis through serological testing is crucial for pediatricians to prevent long-term complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.
- While often diagnosed in childhood, CD presents a broad clinical spectrum.
- Associated complications like reduced bone density and neurological issues can occur in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diverse clinical presentations of coeliac disease in children.
- To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and awareness among pediatric healthcare providers.
- To underscore the need for timely intervention to prevent severe outcomes of untreated CD.
Main Methods:
- Review of the clinical spectrum of coeliac disease in pediatric populations.
- Analysis of associated comorbidities and long-term complications.
- Discussion on the role of serological screening in early detection.
Main Results:
- Coeliac disease in children manifests as typical, atypical, silent, or potential/latent cases.
- Extra-intestinal symptoms and associated conditions are prevalent in pediatric CD.
- Timely diagnosis through serological tests is vital for managing CD.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians and subspecialists require high awareness of CD's varied presentations.
- Liberal use of serological tests aids in early identification of pediatric coeliac disease.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to mitigate serious complications.
Abstract:
Although coeliac disease (CD) can present at any age, including the elderly, typical cases often manifest in early childhood. The clinical spectrum in children is wide and includes: (1) typical cases presenting early in life with signs of intestinal malabsorption (chronic diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal distention, etc); (2) atypical cases showing milder, often extra-intestinal, symptoms; (3) silent cases that are occasionally discovered because of serological screening; (4) potential/latent cases showing isolated positivity of coeliac serology at first testing and eventually the typical intestinal damage later in life. Many CD-associated problems, which were originally described mostly in adults, can indeed be observed in children or adolescents, e.g. reduced bone mineral density, neurological problems and associated autoimmune disorders. It is instrumental that both primary pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists have a high degree of awareness and embrace a 'liberal' use of serological CD tests in order to identify these cases in a timely fashion to prevent serious complications secondary to untreated CD.
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