Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Recognition of Epidermal Transglutaminase by IgA and Tissue Transglutaminase 2 Antibodies in a Rare Case of Rhesus Dermatitis
Published on: December 15, 2011
Celiac disease in India
Surender Kumar Yachha1, Ujjal Poddar
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow- 226 014, India. skyachha@sgpgi.ac.in
Insights
Celiac disease (CD) in India presents challenges in diagnosis and gluten-free food availability. However, a gluten-free diet significantly improves nutrition and growth in children with CD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Celiac disease (CD) is increasingly recognized in India, with a higher prevalence reported in Northern regions.
- Diagnosis is often delayed due to atypical presentations and limited awareness.
- Genetic predisposition, particularly DR3-DQ2 haplotypes, is observed in Indian pediatric CD cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of celiac disease in India, encompassing both pediatric and adult populations.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and effective diagnostic tools for celiac disease.
- To assess the impact of gluten-free diets on clinical and histological outcomes in children with celiac disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on celiac disease in India.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria, including serological tests (IgA EMA, anti-tTG antibodies) and modified ESPGHAN criteria.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes, focusing on nutritional status, growth parameters, and small bowel histology following a gluten-free diet.
Main Results:
- Celiac disease is predominantly reported from Northern India, with scattered cases elsewhere.
- Delayed diagnosis is common, influenced by varied clinical presentations.
- A gluten-free diet leads to significant nutritional and growth improvements in children, though small bowel histology may not fully normalize.
- Dietary adherence is challenging due to the limited availability of labeled gluten-free products.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of celiac disease in India relies on serological tests and established criteria.
- While gluten-free diets are effective for clinical management, challenges in food accessibility persist.
- Further large-scale epidemiological studies are crucial to understand the true burden of celiac disease in India.
Abstract:
This review of the current scenario of celiac disease (CD) in India covers both pediatric and adult CD. CD is primarily reported from northern India with isolated case reports from the rest of the country. CD cases among Indian children are associated with multiple DR3-DQ2 haplotypes. Delay in diagnosis is contributed by multiple factors including atypical presentations. Use of serological tests, IgA EMA and anti-tTG antibodies, along with modified ESPGHAN criteria provides a definitive diagnosis of CD. Dietary management is often difficult due to non-availability of labeled and marketed gluten-free foods. A majority of children with CD show normalization of nutrition, substantial improvement in growth parameters and attainment of healthy percentile curves on gluten-free diet. Small bowel histology remarkably improves but does not normalize even after 2-3 years on gluten-free diet. The true burden of the disease should be addressed by large epidemiological studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:12Giardiasis
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...