Time to recognize atypical celiac disease in Indian children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There is scant information about atypical (non-diarrheal) presentation of celiac disease (CD) from India. We conducted this study to compare non-diarrheal and diarrheal presentations of CD in children. METHODS: From November 2003 to December 2005, we prospectively screened two groups of children for CD, group I with diarrhea and group II without diarrhea but with atypical presentations (unexplained growth retardation, refractory anemia, refractory rickets, chronic constipation and abdominal distension). Screening was done with IgA antiendomysial antibody (EMA) followed by duodenal biopsy if EMA was positive. Celiac disease was diagnosed according to modified ESPGHAN criteria. RESULTS: A total of 200 children were screened (103 in group I and 97 in group II) and CD was diagnosed in 42 (classical 24, atypical 18). Presentation of atypical CD were; short stature 6, anemia 4, abdominal distension 3, rickets 2, and constipation, diabetes mellitus, delayed puberty in 1 case each. Patients with atypical CD were older (median age 10.4 years vs 5.5 years, p< 0.007) than classical cases. On mean (SD) follow-up of 12.6 (7.5) months all showed response to gluten-free-diet, and median gain in weight, height and final hemoglobin levels were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Atypical CD is not uncommon in India. Children with atypical CD present at an older age. Likelihood of finding CD is high in children with anemia, short stature and rickets.