274 Screening for celiac disease among first-grade pupils using rapid point-of-care test, a prospective study

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals with reported global prevalence in children from 0.31% to 0.9%. Despite the increasing prevalence of CD, many patients remain undiagnosed. Several point-of-care tests (POC) for CD have been develo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of disease in childhood 2021-10, Vol.106 (Suppl 2), p.A116-A116
Main Authors: Dekanić, Kristina Baraba, Ahel, Ivona Butorac, Ružman, Lucija, Milinović, Marina, Palčevski, Goran
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abstracts
Autoimmune diseases
Celiac disease
Children
Epidemiology
Gluten
Grade 1
Immunoglobulin A
Pediatrics
Point of care testing
Transglutaminase 2
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Summary:Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals with reported global prevalence in children from 0.31% to 0.9%. Despite the increasing prevalence of CD, many patients remain undiagnosed. Several point-of-care tests (POC) for CD have been developed that can be used as useful screening tool. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CD in first-grade pupils in Primorje-Gorski Kotar county, Croatia using POC test. Methods: Biocard celiac test that detects IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase in whole blood was used to screen for celiac disease in healthy first-grade children born in 2011 and 2012 who consumed gluten without restrictions. Results: 1478 children were tested and none of them were tested positive with rapid test. In 10 children (0,6%) IgA deficiency has been suspected; only 4 of them agreed to be tested further for total IgA, anti-tTG and anti DGP antibodies. IgA deficiency was confirmed in 3 patients and in all 4 children CD has been excluded. Conclusion: In this, to our knowledge first prospective study in Croatia, we haven’t found children with celiac disease. Further research is needed to establish the true epidemiology of CD in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and to confirm the value of rapid test in comparison with standard antibody CD testing.
ISSN:0003-9888
1468-2044
DOI:10.1136/archdischild-2021-europaediatrics.274