Frequency of celiac disease in individuals with Down syndrome in the United States

An investigation of sleep problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, comorbid psychopathology and challenging behavior in children and adolescents with Down Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities, and children with DS have increased risks of receiving diagnoses of specific comorbidities.

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the frequencies and relationships between sleep problems, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, comorbid psychopathology, and challenging behavior.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Gastrointestinal Symptom Inventory, Autism Spectrum Disorder-Comorbid for Children, and Behavior Problems Inventory-Short Form were completed by 123 parents of children and adolescents with DS.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The frequency of GI symptoms was 74.8 %, with high frequencies also found for: sleep problems (100 %), challenging behavior (100 %), and moderate to severe levels of comorbid psychopathology (tantrum=80 %; repetitive behavior=63 %; avoidant behavior=82 %; worry/depressed=61 %; conduct behavior=100 %; over-eating=100 %; under-eating=100 %). A significant moderate correlation was found between total GI symptoms and self-injurious behavior frequency. Children who presented with abdominal pain engaged in self-injurious behavior more frequently than those with no abdominal pain.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Findings indicated a high frequency of sleep problems, comorbid psychopathology, GI symptoms, and challenging behavior and demonstrated a relationship between GI symptoms and self-injurious behavior in children and adolescents with DS. This research illustrated the importance of investigating comorbid conditions in individuals with DS. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS?: Down Syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition characterized by trisomy 21 and is a leading cause of intellectual disability worldwide. The prevalence of DS is commonly associated with advanced maternal age and is associated with multiple comorbid conditions. The current study aimed to investigate the frequency of and relationship between sleep problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, comorbid psychopathology, and challenging behavior in children and adolescents with DS. High-frequency levels were found for sleep problems (100 %), challenging behavior (100 %), gastrointestinal symptoms (74.8 %), and moderate to severe levels of the different comorbid psychopathologies (tantrum=80 %; repetitive behavior=63 %; avoidant behavior=82 %; worry/depressed=61 %; conduct behavior=100 %; over-eating=100 %; under-eating=100 %). Results indicated a significant difference in self-injurious behavior frequency between individuals who presented with abdominal pain and those who did not. This study is the first to investigate the relationship of multiple comorbid conditions in a sample of children with DS. This paper adds to the literature by demonstrating the frequency of a number of comorbid conditions in children and adolescents with DS. The paper also adds novel findings to the literature by investigating the relationships between comorbid conditions in this population. The findings of this paper highlighted the frequency and comorbidities that exist between gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep problems, comorbid psychopathology, and challenging behavior. Analyses indicated that those who presented with abdominal pain, engaged in self-injurious behavior more frequently. Sleep problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, comorbid psychopathology, and challenging behavior in children and adolescents with Down Syndrome.

Routine Screening for Celiac Disease in Children With Down Syndrome Improves Case Finding

OBJECTIVES

Children with Down syndrome have an estimated 6-fold increased risk of developing celiac disease in the United States compared with the general population, yet the determination to screen for celiac disease in this population is not agreed upon. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of celiac disease in children with Down syndrome in our center and compare features from this population identified clinically and through screening.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of 1317 children with Down syndrome who received treatment at a single institution from 2011 to 2017. All participants (n = 90; 53.3% boys) met inclusion criteria of celiac disease diagnosis between 1 month and 22 years of age and Down syndrome. Clinical details were collected, which included the results from celiac disease screening tests, reason for diagnosis and/or testing, symptoms, nutrition notes, demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Prevalence of celiac disease in our population of children with Down syndrome ages 3 years or older was 9.8%. Mean age at diagnosis was 9.24 years (SD = 4.98) with an average of 2.85 years (SD ± 3.52) lag from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis for children clinically identified in comparison with 1.69 years (SD ± 2.09) for children identified through routine screening. Eighty-two percentage of clinic patients received a diagnosis of celiac disease because of routine screening compared with clinical testing based on identified symptoms alone.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest the need for routine celiac disease screening in children with Down syndrome to improve case-finding and avoid diagnostic delay.

Down Syndrome and COVID-19: A Perfect Storm?

People with Down syndrome show signs of chronic immune dysregulation, including a higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders, increased rates of hospitalization during respiratory viral infections, and higher mortality rates from pneumonia and sepsis. At the molecular and cellular levels, they show markers of chronic autoinflammation, including interferon hyperactivity, elevated levels of many inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and changes in diverse immune cell types reminiscent of inflammatory conditions observed in the general population. However, the impact of this immune dysregulation in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and CoV disease of 2019 (COVID-19) remains unknown. This Perspective outlines why individuals with Down syndrome should be considered an at-risk population for severe COVID-19. Specifically, the immune dysregulation caused by trisomy 21 may result in an exacerbated cytokine release syndrome relative to that observed in the euploid population, thus justifying additional monitoring and specialized care for this vulnerable population.

Occurrence of Hypothyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, and Celiac Disease in Emirati Children with Down's Syndrome

Objectives

Autoimmune diseases are known to occur in people with Down's syndrome (DS), especially celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypothyroidism. Since there are common genetic risk factors involved in the occurrence of these autoimmune disorders, the risks would differ in different populations. We sought to determine the prevalence of type 1 DM, celiac disease, and hypothyroidism in Emirati patients with DS in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Methods

Ninety-two patients with DS were investigated for the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies, antithyroglobulin, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies for hypothyroidism, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies for type 1 DM, and anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A antibodies for celiac disease.

Results

Karyotyping was performed on 89 patients. Eighty-seven had non-disjunction of chromosome 21 (97.8%), one was a mosaic, and one had translocation. Of the patients studied, 19.6% had hypothyroidism, 4.3% had type 1 DM, and 1.1% had celiac disease. Out of the 92 patients studied, 66 (71.7%) did not have any autoimmune disease, 25 (27.2%) had one autoimmune disease, and one (1.1%) had two autoimmune diseases.

Conclusions

Celiac disease was the least prevalent autoimmune disease in patients with DS patients, while type 1 DM and hypothyroidism were both significantly associated with DS.

Prevalence of celiac disease in patients with Down syndrome: a meta-analysis

Background

The association between Down syndrome and celiac disease has been reported by many studies. However, the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in Down syndrome (DS) varies considerably across studies (from 0 % to 19 %). The aim of this study was to use meta-analysis to exam the prevalence of CD in patients with DS.

Methods

A systematic search of English articles from Pubmed, Web of Science and CNKI without year limitation. Data were extracted by two independent observers and pooled using a random effects model by the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 software.

Results

A pooled analysis, based on 31 studies included 4383 individuals, revealed prevalence of biopsy-confirmed CD of 5.8 % (95 % CI = 4.7-7.2 %) in patients with DS. Sub-group analysis showed a slightly higher prevalence of CD in children with DS (6.6 %; 17 studies), than in age mixed samples with both children and adults (5.1 %; 13 studies). In addition, most of the studies included in this meta-analysis were from Europe and America, with the prevalence of celiac disease of 6 % (21 studies) and 5.7 % (6 studies) in DS patients, respectively. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis suggested that proportion of antibody-positive individuals that underwent small intestine biopsy had moderating effect on the outcome of the meta-analysis.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that patients (children) with Down syndrome had high prevalence of CD (more than one in twenty). The prevalence is high enough to motivate screening CD in DS children.

Screening of celiac disease in Down syndrome - Old and new dilemmas

Celiac disease (CD) is a common and well defined autoimmune disorder caused by gliadin and related proteins of wheat, rye, and barley. Epidemiologic studies confirmed that CD is highly associated with other autoimmune diseases and with Down syndrome (DS). The symptomatic form of CD in patients with DS is more frequent than asymptomatic forms. However, growth impairment, anemia, intermittent diarrhea, and constipation are symptoms and signs typically of children with DS without CD. Late identification of the disease can lead to various complications, sometimes even very severe. Therefore, systematic screening for CD is essential in the management of children and adolescents with DS. Many medical organizations recommend screening in this group of patients. However, current policy statements vary in their recommendations for screening and there is still a need for establishing uniform diagnostic criteria.

Assessment of coeliac disease prevalence in patients with Down syndrome in Poland - a multi-centre study

Introduction

The results of studies assessing whether patients with Down syndrome have increased risk of coeliac disease are contradictory. The prevalence of coeliac disease in patients with Down syndrome is estimated at a wide range between 1% to as much as 18.6%.

Aim

To assess coeliac disease prevalence in patients with Down syndrome in Poland.

Material and methods

The study enrolled 301 patients with Down syndrome from six centres in Poland (Wroclaw, Sandomierz, Rzeszow, Grudziadz, Katowice, and Bydgoszcz). We measured the concentration of anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies and anti-deamidated gliadin peptide IgG antibodies in all patients. Patients with abnormal positive (> 10 U/ml) or inconclusive (7–10 U/ml) result of the serological test were offered endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine in the main centre.

Results

In 31 (10.3%) patients increased concentrations of the investigated antibodies were found, including 19 (6.3%) patients with increased tTg-IgA concentration, 27 (8.97%) patients with increased concentration of DGP-IgG, and 15 (4.98%) patients with increased concentration of both types of antibodies. Endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine was planned for all 31 patients with abnormal results of at least one antibody test and for 2 patients with inconclusive results. One of them suffered from previously diagnosed and histologically confirmed coeliac disease. Biopsy was not conducted in 9 patients due to contraindications, lack of their consent, or introduction of a gluten-free diet by the parents before the examination. In a group of 23 patients who underwent endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine, in 15 patients the histopathological picture of the small intestinal mucosa was typical for coeliac disease, 2 patients were diagnosed with lesions of grade 1 according to the classification by Marsh-Oberhuber, 1 patient was diagnosed with focal shortening of villi and hypertrophy of the crypts with no intraepithelial lymphocytosis (remains under gastrological observation), 2 patients were diagnosed with mucosal inflammation of the duodenum, and 3 patients were found to have a normal histopathological picture of the small intestine. Analysis of the data included in the questionnaires of all patients showed no statistically significant differences in the body height, body mass index, prevalence of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipations, recurrent stomatitis, enamel hypoplasia, thyroid diseases, or hypertransaminasaemia between the groups of patients with normal and abnormal serological test results. Significantly higher prevalence of abdominal flatulence (p < 0.05) and epilepsy (p < 0.05) was found in the group of patients whose serological test results were negative.

Conclusions

Patients with Down syndrome are a high-risk group for coeliac disease in the Polish population, with an estimated prevalence of at least 5.4%. Serological tools based on tTG-IgA and DGP-IgG tests are useful for the diagnosis of coeliac disease in Down syndrome patients. tTG-IgA test may be superior to DGP-IgG test in patients with normal total IgA level. Tests for coeliac disease should be carried out in all Polish patients with Down syndrome, regardless of the clinical picture.

Nonoral feeding for children and youth with developmental or acquired disabilities

The decision to initiate enteral feedings is multifaceted, involving medical, financial, cultural, and emotional considerations. Children who have developmental or acquired disabilities are at risk for having primary and secondary conditions that affect growth and nutritional well-being. This clinical report provides (1) an overview of clinical issues in children who have developmental or acquired disabilities that may prompt a need to consider nonoral feedings, (2) a systematic way to support the child and family in clinical decisions related to initiating nonoral feeding, (3) information on surgical options that the family may need to consider in that decision-making process, and (4) pediatric guidance for ongoing care after initiation of nonoral feeding intervention, including care of the gastrostomy tube and skin site. Ongoing medical and psychosocial support is needed after initiation of nonoral feedings and is best provided through the collaborative efforts of the family and a team of professionals that may include the pediatrician, dietitian, social worker, and/or therapists.

Systematic review: worldwide variation in the frequency of coeliac disease and changes over time

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CD), originally thought to be largely confined to Northern Europe and Australasia and uncommon in North America and the Middle East, is now recognised to be equally common in all these countries. It is still thought to be rare in the Orient and Sub-Saharan Africa.

AIM

To assess geographical differences and time trends in the frequency of CD.

METHODS

Medline and Embase searches were conducted on 10 November 2012, from 1946 and 1980 respectively, using the key words: coeliac disease or celiac disease + prevalence or incidence or frequency.

RESULTS

There were significant intra- and inter-country differences in the prevalence and incidence of CD. Only 24 ethnic Chinese and Japanese patients have been reported in the English literature. Of CD-associated HLA DQ antigens, DQ2 occurs in 5-10% of Chinese and sub-Saharan Africans, compared to 5-20% in Western Europe. DQ8 occurs in 5-10% of English, Tunisians and Iranians, but in <5% of Eastern Europeans, Americans and Asians. The prevalence and incidence of both clinically and serologically diagnosed CD increased in recent years. These geographical and temporal differences seem genuine, although variable indices of suspicion and availability of diagnostic facilities are confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Coeliac disease is increasing in frequency, with significant geographical differences. Although few cases have been described to date in the Orient and Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a significant prevalence of HLA DQ2 and wheat consumption is of the same order as that in Western Europe. CD may therefore become more common in the future in these countries.

Variation over time in medical conditions and health service utilization of children with Down syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To compare the prevalence of parent reported medical conditions and rates of health service utilization in school-aged children with Down syndrome in Western Australia in 1997 and 2004.

STUDY DESIGN

We compared two cross-sectional surveys completed by parents of children with Down syndrome identified from population-based sources in 1997 (n = 210) and 2004 (n = 208). Surveys collected information on family demographics, medical conditions, health issues, and service utilization. The analysis described medical conditions in 2004 and compared frequencies in both years. Regression analyses compared medical conditions and health utilisation in the two cohorts.

RESULTS

In 2004, children with Down syndrome had greater odds of having a bowel condition (OR, 1.69; 95%, 1.16 to 2.45; P = .01), were less likely to have a current problem due to their cardiac condition (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.68, P = .003), and demonstrated an overall reduction in episodic illnesses and infections. The use of GP services (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.00, P = .05) and combined medical specialist visits (IRR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.01; P = .09) were reduced in 2004, as were overnight hospital admissions (IRR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.96; P = .03) and length of stay (IRR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.44; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The health status of children with Down syndrome has varied over time with reductions in current cardiac problems, episodic illnesses, and health service use. Research is now needed to investigate the impact of these changes on the overall health and quality of life of children and families living with Down syndrome.

Celiac disease in Portuguese children and adults with Down syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Celiac disease (CD) affects up to 1% of the general population. Studies from several countries reported higher prevalence rates in Down syndrome (DS) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the CD prevalence in Portuguese DS patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 98 DS patients (58 male and 40 female, 1-45 years). Serological screening was performed using immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-endomysium antibody (EMA), determined by an immunofluorescence assay with monkey esophagus as substrate, and IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG), measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with tissue transglutaminase as antigen. The serologically positive patients were selected for upper endoscopy with biopsy procedure. The intestinal mucosa biopsy specimens were classified according to the Marsh criteria.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (19.4%), nine children and 10 adults, were positive for IgA EMA and 12 (12.2%), eight children and four adults, for IgA anti-tTG. All the IgA anti-tTG positive patients were simultaneously positive for IgA EMA. The histological findings (Marsh III) confirmed CD in nine of the remaining 17 patients who underwent endoscopy and biopsy - prevalence rate of 9.2%. All Marsh III patients were IgA EMA positive, but four Marsh III patients were IgA anti-tTG negative.

CONCLUSION

DS Portuguese patients have a high CD prevalence rate. This study supports that, in our population, the current recommendations for CD screening in DS patients should be implemented and screening must be EMA based.

[Study of celiac disease in the pediatric population of Cantabria (Spain) and first-degree relatives]

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that affects genetically predisposed individuals. The HLA-DQ2 heterodimer is present in nearly 90% of patients while HLA-DQ8 is found in the remaining 10%.

AIM

To study the characteristics of CD in pediatric patients in Cantabria and their first-degree relatives, with special emphasis on factors related to haplotype, serology, and forms of clinical presentation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-six patients with CD and 215 first-degree relatives were HLA genotyped. Clinical, laboratory, immunologic, and histological data were obtained from all patients.

RESULTS

Clinical presentation was classical in 95% of the patients and mono-symptomatic in the remaining 5%. Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) and anti-transglutaminase antibodies (ATGA) were positive in 95% of the patients and negative in 5% (all with IgA deficiency). DQ2 was found in 71% of the patients (homozygotes or heterozygotes) and DQ8 was found in 9.5%. No heterodimers of risk were found in 22%. CD was found in six relatives (three were positive for AGA and four were positive for ATGA). Forty-nine percent of the relatives carried the DQ2 heterodimer and 15% the DQ8 heterodimer; no heterodimers of risk were found in 40%.

CONCLUSIONS

The most prevalent HLA found in patients with CD in the autonomous region of Cantabria was DQ2 (71%). This prevalence is clearly lower than that reported in other Spanish regions. The prevalence of CD among first-degree relatives was similar to that found in other studies performed in Spain (2.8%). Our data support the need for systematic study of the first-degree relatives of patients with CD.

Advances in celiac disease and gluten-free diet

Celiac disease is becoming an increasingly recognized autoimmune enteropathy caused by a permanent intolerance to gluten. Once thought to be a rare disease of childhood characterized by diarrhea, celiac disease is actually a multisystemic disorder that occurs as a result of an immune response to ingested gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Screening studies have revealed that celiac disease is most common in asymptomatic adults in the United States. Although considerable scientific progress has been made in understanding celiac disease and in preventing or curing its manifestations, a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease to date. Early diagnosis and treatment, together with regular follow-up visits with a dietitian, are necessary to ensure nutritional adequacy and to prevent malnutrition while adhering to the gluten-free diet for life. The purpose of this review is to provide clinicians with current updated information about celiac disease, its diverse clinical presentation and increased prevalence, the complex pathophysiology and strong genetic predisposition to celiac disease, and its diagnosis. This review focuses in detail on the gluten-free diet and the importance of intense expert dietary counseling for all patients with celiac disease. Recent advances in the gluten-free diet include food allergen labeling as well as the US Food and Drug Administration's proposed definition of the food-labeling term gluten-free. The gluten-free diet is complex and patients need comprehensive nutrition education from a skilled dietitian.

The prevalence of growth hormone deficiency and celiac disease in short children

OBJECTIVES

To assess the occurrence of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in patients with celiac disease (CD) referred for short stature.

DESIGN

A retrospective, multi-center study. A total of 7066 children with short stature were referred to a number of centers for second-line evaluation over a 5-year period. All patients were screened for CD by antiendomysial antibodies (EMA) and antitissue transglutaminase IgA. Those with positive sera underwent intestinal biopsy. The EMA-negative patients and the EMA-positive ones who did not grow after 1 year of gluten-free diet underwent endocrinological investigation.

RESULTS

Among the 7066 short children (age 2-14 years) evaluated, 650 (9.2%) had GHD and 44 (0.63%) had CD. An association of both CD and GHD was found in 16 short children (0.23%); these children did not grow after 1 year of gluten-free diet and therefore GH treatment was started.

CONCLUSIONS

GH secretion should be evaluated in celiac patients showing no catch-up growth after an appropriate period on a gluten-free diet in spite of reversion to seronegativity for EMA.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals as the result of an immune response to gluten. This immune response occurs in both the lamina propria and the epithelium of the small intestine. There is a close link to HLA DQ2 and DQ8, although these HLA genes account for only 40% of the genetic influence. Environmental factors, such as the amount and timing of gluten administration in infancy, as well as breastfeeding, influence the disease. Serologic screening studies that use sensitive and specific antibody tests have revealed the disease to be common, occurring in approximately 1% of the population. Clinical presentations are diverse and atypical; the majority of patients lack diarrhea. Therapy is a gluten-free diet that requires avoidance of wheat, rye, and barley, although there is potential for other therapies based on our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.

Current dilemmas in Down syndrome clinical care: Celiac disease, thyroid disorders, and atlanto-axial instability

This study will discuss our current understanding of celiac disease (CD), thyroid disorders, and atlanto-axial instability, three important areas of medical management in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). In this study, we highlight our current knowledge, as well as what we need to study in order to gather the necessary data to refine the empirically based screening protocols which are now in place.

Celiac sprue (the great modern-day imposter)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current epidemiological information on celiac disease and the various presentations and associated.

RECENT FINDINGS

Epidemiologic studies reveal celiac disease to be common, occurring in approx. 1% of the population. It is being diagnosed worldwide, even in developing countries. The classic mode of presentation has become less common, with diarrhea or a malabsorption syndrome as the mode of presentation in fewer than 50% of individuals. The other major modes of presentation are iron-deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, screening of family members, or incidentally at endoscopy done for dyspepsia or reflux. Neurological presentations may include peripheral neuropathy or ataxia. Arthritis is commonly found in patients with celiac disease when systematically sought. Patients often have a previous diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. Autoimmune diseases occur more frequently (three to ten times more) in those with celiac disease than the general population. However, this increased incidence of autoimmune diseases is not prevented by early diagnosis of celiac disease.

SUMMARY

We will review the various associated diseases/presentations of celiac disease. The heterogeneity of the symptoms can make the diagnosis challenging and certainly the great modern-day imposter.

Coeliac disease in children

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.

Clinical presentation of celiac disease in the pediatric population

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains (including wheat, rye, and barley) in genetically susceptible individuals. CD is associated with HLA molecules DQ2 (90%-95%) and DQ8 (5%-10%), and in the continued presence of gluten the disease is self-perpetuating. CD is one of the most common lifelong disorders worldwide and is characterized by a variety of clinical presentations. These include the typical malabsorption syndrome (classic symptoms) and a spectrum of symptoms potentially affecting any organ or body system (nonclassic symptoms). Because CD often is atypical or even clinically silent, many cases go undiagnosed and are exposed to the risk of long-term complications. There is growing interest in the social aspects of CD because the burden of illness related to this condition is doubtless higher than previously thought.

Emerging concepts in celiac disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There has been an explosion in knowledge about celiac disease (CD) in the last decade based on the availability of serologic screening tests and the elucidation of some of the important disease susceptibility genes. What has been discovered is that CD is among the most common inherited diseases with a worldwide prevalence of almost 1% of the population. Also, there has been a tremendous expansion of the possible clinical presentations in patients with CD, many of them predominantly or even exclusively extraintestinal. Over the last year, both the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and the NIH, through the mechanism of a consensus development conference held in May 2004, have published guidelines outlining the current state of knowledge and the areas where more research is needed.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review will stress the most recent findings in CD in the areas of genetics, pathogenesis, epidemiology, screening and diagnosis, and natural history. It will stress the importance of HLA DQ2 and DQ8 as disease susceptibility genes, and the interaction of the environmental triggers (gliadins and glutenins) with these gene products to trigger the immunologic response in the gut that is responsible for the pattern of injury. Recent reports that stress the importance of screening high-risk groups (i.e. siblings of index cases and first degree relatives, patients with Type I diabetes, patients with Downs syndrome, patients with IgA deficiency) will be highlighted. The identification of the most sensitive and specific screening tests will be summarized with an explanation of special situations that affect the interpretation of these tests. Finally, the long-term morbidities associated with CD will be characterized supporting the case for early diagnosis and treatment.

SUMMARY

The implications of these recent findings are of tremendous importance for both pediatricians and internists. Screening of high-risk groups, and of patients with the common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, iron deficiency anemia, unexplained arthritis, and even chronic elevations of aminotransferases is becoming the accepted standard of practice. Much research remains to be done to further refine our understanding of CD, and to devise more effective strategies for treatment, compliance, and prevention of long-term complications.

New developments in childhood celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD) is one of the most common lifelong disorders in Europe and the United States, in both children and adults. It is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. This review addresses new developments in CD with respect to pediatric patients and emphasizes the need for awareness among health-care professionals. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and clinical spectrum of CD in children are highlighted.