Clinical features of celiac disease in Indian children: are they different from the West?

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to prospectively evaluate the clinical features of celiac disease (CD) in a large group of Indian children and to compare them with those from the West.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a period of 5 years, a total of 549 children (< or = 14 years) with a clinical suspicion of CD were evaluated. Their detailed clinical features, investigations, and follow-up data were recorded. Complete hemogram, endoscopic duodenal biopsy, and celiac serology were done in all of the cases. Celiac disease was diagnosed on the basis of modified European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition criteria.

RESULTS

Celiac disease was diagnosed in 300 children; 39 were excluded because of lack of follow-up or poor response to gluten-free diet. The remaining 210 had normal villous architecture and served as controls. The mean (+/- standard deviation) age of children with CD was 6.7 +/- 3 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 3.5 +/- 2.5 years. The majority (84%) presented with diarrhea; other features were failure to thrive in 91%, anemia in 84%, wasting in 87%, and stunting in 60% of cases. Among the serological tests, the best results were obtained with tissue transglutaminase. On follow-up (19.4 +/- 15.5 months), symptoms subsided in all cases of CD with a significant weight and height gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Indian children with CD present late, with a significant delay in diagnosis. The majority presents with classic symptoms of diarrhea, failure to thrive, and anemia. There is a need for increasing awareness to pick up the atypical forms of the disease.