Evalution of celiac patients in Gaziantep Universty pediatric gasrtoenterology clinic

Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropaty characterized by malabsorption of nutrient by the small intestine following ingestion of wheat gluten in genetically predisposed patients. Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical laboratory, radiological, and histopathologic features of celiac disease. Material And Method: Between 2010-2013, 509 celiac patients (who are diagnosed according to ESPGHAN criteria) presenting to the gastroenterology units in Gaziantep were included in the retrospective study. Demogrophic, antropometric, laboratory, radiological, bone mass densities, endoscopic screening and pathology results were evaluated in this study. Findings: 509 patients were included in this study;290 (%57) were female, 219(%37)were male. The mean patient age was 129.4±49.3 months. The most common symptom was failure to thrieve (%47.5) followed by stomachache (%35), chronic diarrhea (%21.6) and abdominal distention (%23.4). The most common abnormal physical examination sign was pallor(%21.4) followed by weakness (19.1) and abdominal distention (%16.1). 479 patients(%94.1) follows glüten free diet. The patients who don't follow the gluten free diet has higher dTG levels (p<0.01). The most common comorbidities were iron deficiency anemia (%35), osteoporosis (%18.3), osteopenia (%18.3), DM (%3.1) and epilepsy (%2.6). The iron deficiency anemia is more common in patients who were not in a gluten-free diet (p<0.05). According to the histopathologic results from small intestine biopsy, 282(%55.4) of the patients were Marsh 3b, 188(%36.9) of the patients were Marsh 3c, 26(%5.1) of the patients were Marsh 3a and 13(%2.6) were Marsh 2. The most common histopathologic finding in patients following gluten free diet was Marsh 3b and controversly Marsh 3c is the most common histopathologic finding in patient who don't make diet (p=0.031) Results: To diagnose celiac disease the clinical suspicion is very important. With this study it is aimed to reduce complications by diagnosing and curing celiac disease at early onset with semptimizing all findings and symtoms, primarly early presenting symptoms.