[Prevalence of celiac disease in diabetic children and adolescents]

Abstract

Background: Celiac disease is more common in patients with insulin dependent diabetes than in the general population.

Aim: To detect celiac disease in diabetic children and adolescents.

Patients and methods: IgA antigliadin, IgG antireticulin and IgG antiendomysium antibodies were measured in 67 diabetic children (35 female), aged between 4 and 18 years old.

Results: Only one male adolescent, aged 18 years old, without gastrointestinal symptoms, had a significant elevation of antireticulin and antiendomysium antibodies. His intestinal biopsy showed subtotal villous atrophy, consistent with celiac disease.

Conclusions: The prevalence of celiac disease in these diabetic children is 1:67 (1.5%). Similar figures have been reported elsewhere.