Prevalence and clinical forms of celiac disease in siblings of children with verified disease

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Celiac disease (CD) is the result of a polygenic predisposition and gluten-containing diet. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical forms of CD in siblings of children with verified disease. Methods The study included 83 siblings, aged 1.5-27 (11.77 ? 6.2) years, from 64 children with CB diagnosed according to ESPGHAN criteria (1990/2012). In addition to a detailed history and clinical examination, serum levels of IgA and antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (AtTG) IgA and IgG classes were determined in all subjects. All with elevated AtTG levels underwent multiple duodenal enterobiopsy. The diagnosis of CD was confirmed by the finding of characteristic histological changes. Results The diagnosis of CB was made in 13 of 83 subjects (15.67%). Nine of them had an asymptomatic form of the disease, while in the others the disease was clinically manifest, in 3 classical, in one accompanied by severe malnutrition (-26.80%) and in one nonclassical (only short stature). Except for sideropenia and and hypoferritinemia in 4 patients, of which 2 with hemoglobin below the reference value, standard laboratory findings were within normal limits. Conclusion Our research shows that the prevalence of CB in siblings of children with verified disease is 15.67%. It is mostly detected in asymptomatic form. In accordance with this, the necessity of routine application of serological screening for CB in this population group in order to its timely diagnosis and treatment.