ABSTRACT
To assess the clinical characteristic of CD as well as correlation of symptoms and the degrees of intestinal mucosal lesions in Iranian children. Microscopic Enteritis [Marsh 0-II] is associated with malabsorption. From August 2005 to September 2009, 111 cases with malabsorption and classical gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated. The mean [ +/- SD] age of children with CD was 4.9 +/- 3.5 years [range, 6 month-16 years] and the mean duration of symptoms was 8 +/- 20.5 months. 50 cases [45%] were female and 61 cases [55%] were male. The most common clinical presentation was failure to thrive in 72%, chronic diarrhea in 65.8% and Iron deficiency anemia in 59.5%. Sensitivity of EMA was 100% in patients with Marsh IIIb and Marsh IIIc. EMA was also positive in 77% of cases with Marsh 0, 18% in Marsh I, 44% in Marsh II and 81.8% in patients with Marsh IIIa. Histopathology did not reflect the severity of gluten sensitivity. This would suggest that the degree of intestinal mucosal damage might not be a reliable prognostic factor. Significant symptoms can be present with minor histological change on biopsy