Coeliac disease diagnosed at Starship Children's Hospital: 1999-2002.

Abstract

Our study found that children with coeliac disease are being diagnosed at an older age. Older children also presented with more abdominal pain while younger children presented with more failure to thrive. At-risk groups for coeliac disease may be asymptomatic and form a significant group of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease. Anti-endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies are reliable tests for coeliac disease. However, in younger patients or if there is a high clinical index of suspicion of coeliac disease, small bowel biopsy should be performed even if the anti-endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibody tests are negative.