Prevalence of celiac disease: multicentric trial among pediatric population in five urban districts of Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: up the date of this study, published material about the prevalence of CD in pediatric population in Argentina has not been found. OBJECTIVE: to estimate CD prevalence in a pediatric population of 5 urban districts. METHODS: descriptive and cross sectional cut design. Were invited 2.230 children, between 3 and 16 years, which had been requested for pre-surgical studies and physical aptitude certificates for sports. IgA class tissue transglutaminase antibodies were determined and to positive samples IgA class endomysium antibodies. A small intestine biopsy was proposed for those who had both positive serology. Children with a previous diagnosis of CD who met the inclusion criteria were included. The prevalence was expressed by means of the percentage and its exact confidence interval and the comparisons between groups were performed using Fisher´s exact test. RESULTS: 2.219 children´s sera were studied. 29 were positive serologies. 22 duodenum biopsies were performed, 21 turned out compatible with CD. 7 children presented a previous diagnosis. A prevalence of 1.26% (1:79) CI 95% (0,84-1,81) was found, with female sex predominance ( p<0.039) and important regional differences as well. Ninety percent of the celiac children found were > 6 years Silent clinical manifestations predominated but there were 33% of symptomatic cases. CONCLUSIONS: the results in the study population showed a higher prevalence than previous studies in adults. The finding of symptomatic manifestations (33%) suggests actions to spread the knowledge of this disease promoting the indication of serology for early diagnosis.