REVIEW OF CELIAC DISEASE PRESENTATION IN A PEDIATRIC TERTIARY CENTRE.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder with a multiform presentation and therefore a challenging diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and histologic characteristics of children with celiac disease at diagnosis and on follow-up. METHODS: Children with previously established or newly diagnosed celiac disease, admitted in a tertiary centre in a two-year period (2014-2016) were recruited. Data was collected retrospectively from electronic medical records and clinical notes, and subsequently analysed with SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients, out of 312, were included. Age ranged from 1 to 17 years (mean ± SD: 8.5±4.5 years, 69% girls). Disease presentation was classical in 60%, non-classical in 25%, subclinical in 10% and 5% classified as potential celiac disease. Non-classical and subclinical profiles had a higher mean age at presentation but not statistically significant (P-value 0.24). The most frequent gastrointestinal features at presentation were abdominal pain (58%), diarrhea (43%) and bloating (27%). A positive family history for celiac disease was present in 24% (n=35). We found anaemia in 23%, low ferritin in 63% and a moderate to severe deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 62%. celiac disease -specific serologic testing and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed in 99%. Histology revealed modified Marsh 2 or 3 enteropathy in 94%, the remaining had normal histology but positive human leukocyte antigen typing. Clinical improvement at 12 months of gluten-free diet was complete in 51% and partial in 49%. IgA tTG normalized after 12-30 months of gluten-free diet in 45%. On growth assessment at diagnosis and after 12-28 months of gluten-free diet, 100% had height increase (mean ±SD: 7.11±4.43 cm) and 96% weight gain (mean ±SD: 5.60±4.91 kg). CONCLUSION: Our findings outline the diverse clinical presentations of pediatric celiac disease that should be considered irrespective of age. Increased clinician's awareness will enable an early diagnosis and treatment, with subsequent symptom and nutritional status improvement.

Revisão da apresentação da doença celíaca num hospital pediátrico terciário / Review of celiac disease presentation in a pediatric tertiary centre

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder with a multiform presentation and therefore a challenging diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and histologic characteristics of children with celiac disease at diagnosis and on follow-up. METHODS: Children with previously established or newly diagnosed celiac disease, admitted in a tertiary centre in a two-year period (2014-2016) were recruited. Data was collected retrospectively from electronic medical records and clinical notes, and subsequently analysed with SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients, out of 312, were included. Age ranged from 1 to 17 years (mean ± SD: 8.5±4.5 years, 69% girls). Disease presentation was classical in 60%, non-classical in 25%, subclinical in 10% and 5% classified as potential celiac disease. Non-classical and subclinical profiles had a higher mean age at presentation but not statistically significant (P-value 0.24). The most frequent gastrointestinal features at presentation were abdominal pain (58%), diarrhea (43%) and bloating (27%). A positive family history for celiac disease was present in 24% (n=35). We found anaemia in 23%, low ferritin in 63% and a moderate to severe deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 62%. celiac disease -specific serologic testing and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed in 99%. Histology revealed modified Marsh 2 or 3 enteropathy in 94%, the remaining had normal histology but positive human leukocyte antigen typing. Clinical improvement at 12 months of gluten-free diet was complete in 51% and partial in 49%. IgA tTG normalized after 12-30 months of gluten-free diet in 45%. On growth assessment at diagnosis and after 12-28 months of gluten-free diet, 100% had height increase (mean ±SD: 7.11±4.43 cm) and 96% weight gain (mean ±SD: 5.60±4.91 kg). CONCLUSION: Our findings outline the diverse clinical presentations of pediatric celiac disease that should be considered irrespective of age. Increased clinician's awareness will enable an early diagnosis and treatment, with subsequent symptom and nutritional status improvement.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença celíaca é uma doença imuno-mediada com uma apresentação multiforme constituindo, por isso, um desafio diagnóstico. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as características epidemiológicas, clínicas, laboratoriais e histológicas ao diagnóstico e no seguimento de crianças com doença celíaca. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas crianças com doença celíaca admitidas num hospital pediátrico terciário ao longo de 2 anos (2014-2016). A recolha da informação clínica foi retrospetiva a partir dos processos clínicos eletrônicos ou em papel e analisada com o software SPSS versão 20.0. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 159 doentes, a partir de uma amostra de 312. A idade variou entre 1 e 17 anos (média ± desvio padrão: 8,5±4,5 anos, 69% do sexo feminino). A apresentação da doença foi clássica em 60%, não clássica em 25%, subclínica em 10% e classificada como doença celíaca potencial em 5%. Os doentes com apresentações não clássica e subclínica, tiveram uma idade média de apresentação superior, mas sem significância estatística (P=0,24). Ao diagnóstico, as manifestações gastrointestinais mais frequentes foram dor abdominal (58%), diarreia (43%) e distensão abdominal (27%). Havia história familiar de doença celíaca em 24% (n=35) dos doentes. Foi detetada anemia em 23%, níveis baixos de ferritina em 63% e um défice moderado a grave de 25-hidroxivitamina D em 62%. Foram realizados testes serológicos para a doença celíaca e a esofagogastroduodenoscopia em 99%. Os achados histológicos revelaram enteropatia nos estágios de Marsh modificado tipo 2 ou 3 em 94%, os restantes apresentavam histologia normal mas tipagem do antigénio leucocitário humano positiva. Aos 12 meses de dieta sem glúten a melhoria clínica foi completa em 51% e parcial em 49%. O valor de IgA tTG normalizou em 45% após 12-30 meses de dieta sem glúten. Na avaliação do crescimento, ao diagnóstico e após 12-28 meses de dieta sem glúten, 100% teve evolução estatural positiva (média ±DP: 7,11±4,43 cm) e 96% aumentaram de peso (média ±DP: 5,60±4,91 kg). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do estudo evidenciam a diversidade da apresentação clínica da doença celíaca em pediatria, devendo ser considerada em todas as idades. Um maior reconhecimento da doença pelos médicos permitirá um diagnóstico e tratamento atempados, com subsequente melhoria sintomática e do estado nutricional.

Teenage boy with high fever and rash: what could we be missing?

A 15-year-old boy was admitted to a local hospital with high fever, generalised rash and a mild sore throat. He was started on intravenous flucloxacillin and 12 hours later develops a sustained low diastolic blood pressure (DBP), unresponsive to fluid volume expansion and cardiovascular support with dopamine. Intravenous clindamycin was added and transportation to paediatric intensive care unit arranged. Dopamine dosing was increased and norepinephrine infusion was added subsequently with immediate stabilisation of DBP. A sacrococcygeal pilonidal abscess was identified, requiring prompt surgical drainage. The microbiological culture of abscess material was positive for an enterotoxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus and Peptostreptococcus magnus He was free of symptoms after 4 days. This case report summarises a potential severe complication of the pilonidal disease.

Varicella complicated by cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis.

We report a 16-month-old girl with varicella complicated by cellulitis, invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection and deep vein thrombosis. She presented with varicella lesions, fever and a painful firm tumefaction on the right lower leg (RLL). Ultrasound showed a local subcutaneous tissue thickening suggestive of cellulitis and antibiotics were initiated. Further swelling of the RLL motivated a second ultrasound that showed an obstructive thrombus for which she was started on enoxaparin. The blood culture confirmed GAS infection leading to directed antibiotherapy. Additional studies showed positive lupus anticoagulant, decreased protein S and antithrombin. She completed a 2-week course of intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy with clinical and laboratory markers improvement. However, 3 days later, a recrudescence of symptoms occurred and the ultrasound revealed a local abscess. Further amoxicillin treatment resulted on a complete resolution of symptoms. Doppler ultrasound after 1 month showed markedly increased vein patency.