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Celiac disease in paediatric patients in the United Arab Emirates: a single-center descriptive study
Asma H AlNababteh1, Christos Tzivinikos2, Saif Al-Shamsi3
1Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Celiac disease (CD) affects 2.7% of pediatric patients screened in Dubai. Early screening is crucial for children at risk or showing suggestive symptoms for timely diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, affecting 1% globally.
- Manifestations vary widely and can include growth issues and anemia, particularly in children.
- Early diagnosis and management are critical for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in at-risk pediatric populations.
- To characterize the clinical presentation and comorbidities of children diagnosed with celiac disease.
- To assess celiac disease prevalence at a tertiary hospital in Dubai, UAE.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical charts for pediatric patients (<18 years) screened for CD.
- Data collection from January 2018 to July 2021 at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, Dubai.
- Diagnosis confirmation using European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) criteria.
Main Results:
- Out of 851 screened pediatric patients, 23 (2.7%) were diagnosed with CD.
- A significant proportion (43.5%) of diagnosed children lacked typical gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Common comorbidities included Type 1 Diabetes (30.4%), iron deficiency anemia (30%), and Hashimoto thyroiditis (9%).
Conclusions:
- The study identified a 2.7% prevalence of celiac disease in the screened pediatric cohort.
- Findings underscore the importance of screening children with suggestive symptoms or risk factors for celiac disease.
- Early detection facilitates prompt management and can mitigate long-term health complications.
Introduction:
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that is provoked by the consumption of gluten in genetically vulnerable individuals. CD affects individuals worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 1% and can manifest at any age. Growth retardation and anemia are common presentations in children with CD. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of CD in multiple "at risk groups" and to characterize children with CD, presented to a tertiary hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Methods:
The study reviewed medical charts of all patients <18 years who had received serologic testing for CD. The study was conducted at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital in Dubai, UAE, from January 2018 to July 2021. Extracted information from medical records included sociodemographics, laboratory findings, clinical presentation, and any associated co-morbidities. The European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) criteria were used to identify patients with CD.
Results:
During the study period, 851 paediatric patients underwent serological screening for CD, out of which, 23 (2.7%) were confirmed with CD. Of the 23 patients diagnosed with CD, 43.5% had no gastrointestinal symptoms. Diabetes type 1 (30.4%) followed by iron deficiency anaemia (30%) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (9%) were the most commonly associated comorbidities. The prevalence of CD among paediatric patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (12.5%) was 1.92-times higher than that among paediatric patients with diabetes type 1 (6.5%).
Conclusion:
The results of this study show that almost three out of every 100 paediatric patients who were screened for CD were confirmed to have the condition. These findings highlight the importance of screening children who are at risk or present symptoms suggestive of CD, to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate management.
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