[Symptoms of Celiac disease in childhood]

Abstract

The knowledge regarding celiac disease has increased dramatically in recent years, due to the availability of accurate serologic markers. Mass screening studies have shown that the prevalence of sensitization can be as high as 1/80. The range of symptoms is wide, from the classic growth failure, denutrition and diarrhea in infancy to clinically and histologically asymptomatic sensitized subjects. The interest of a routine mass screening is debated. The classical celiac disease in infancy is well known. Atypical symptoms and potentially associated disease are more frequent and potentially confounding. Physicians should be aware of any clue for celiac disease in atypical cases in order to improve the diagnostic yield, and therefore avoiding short or long term consequences.