SOME DIAGNOSTIC ASPECTS OF CELIAC DISEASE IN IRAQI CHILDREN

Abdul Elah, Sarmad; Al-Hadithi, Raji; S. Arif, Hala

	SOME DIAGNOSTIC ASPECTS OF CELIAC DISEASE IN IRAQI CHILDREN
IRAQI JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Article 1, Volume 7, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 32-39
Authors
Sarmad Abdul Elah; Raji Al-Hadithi; Hala S. Arif
Abstract
Background: There has been an increasing appreciation of the high prevalence of celiac diseas around the world and efforts are continuing to clarify the variable diagnostic problems of the disease. Objective: We tried to throw light over some of these problems in a group of Iraqi children. Methods: Ninety-three patients with features of malabsorption were evaluated for celiac diseas, by assessing serum IgA tTG, both IgG & IgA AGA, serum IgA level and a small intestinal biopsy. Results: Fifty-eight out of ninety-three patients proved to have celiac diseas according to the histopathological picture. Sensitivity of serological tests in general ranged between 50- 77%, but tTG was 100% specific. Patients with more severe histopathological changes showed more serological positivity and higher antibody titers. Eleven cases of Giardiasis were diagnosed (on biopsy specimen) out of the whole sample, giving variable histopathological changes & serological responses. Conclusion: celiac diseas is a prevalent problem in Iraqi children. We share with other countries the diagnostic problems of the disease, but there seems to be some additional aspects, that are peculiar to developing countries, implying the need for diagnostic strategies specific to these areas. Key words: celiac disease, serological tests, histopathology
Keywords
celiac disease; serological tests; histopathology

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