High prevalence of celiac disease among pediatric population; A cross sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial, complex disease caused by a complex interaction of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The current study was designed to evaluate the incidence rate of this disease among pediatric populations of both genders in the Lahore region.

Methodology: A total of 1000 celiac disease suspected pediatric patients of both genders i.e., male and female were enrolled in the present study. Antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) IgG and IgA were detected by using ELISA method.

Results: Eight hundred twenty-two (822) of 1000 suspected patients of celiac disease (82.1%) showed negative transglutaminase TGA (IgA, IgG) levels and 178 patients (17.8%) showed positive TGA (IgA, IgG) levels. Total of 565 patients (56.6%) were males while 434 patients (43.4%) were females. Out of 822 patients having negative TGA (IgA, IgG) 476 (57.97%) were males and 345 (42,02%) were females. Out of 178 patients with celiac disease, 99 (55.61%) were males and 79 (44.38%) were females. TGA levels were found to be more positive in males as compared to females.

Conclusion: This study reports the high prevalence and incidence rate of celiac disease in the pediatric population of Lahore with 17.8% positive patients and reports approximately every 18 out of 100 children are suffering from this disease. The incidence rate of the disease was found to be alarmingly high (1 in every 6 children) in the Lahore region. Further studies are warranted to explore the associated risk factors