There is a need for consensus on the recommendations for follow-up of children and adolescents with celiac disease. Objectives: To gather the current evidence and to offer recommendations for... Show moreThere is a need for consensus on the recommendations for follow-up of children and adolescents with celiac disease. Objectives: To gather the current evidence and to offer recommendations for follow-up and management. Methods: The Special Interest Group on Celiac Diseases of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition formulated ten questions considered to be essential for follow-up care. A literature search (January 2010-March 2020) was performed in PubMed or Medline. Relevant publications were identified and potentially eligible studies were assessed. Statements and recommendations were developed and discussed by all coauthors. Recommendations were voted upon: joint agreement was set as at least 85%. Results: Publications (n = 2775) were identified and 164 were included. Using evidence or expert opinion, 37 recommendations were formulated on: The need to perform follow-up, its frequency and what should be assessed, how to assess adherence to the gluten-free diet, when to expect catch-up growth, how to treat anemia, how to approach persistent high serum levels of antibodies against tissue-transglutaminase, the indication to perform biopsies, assessment of quality of life, management of children with unclear diagnosis for which a gluten-challenge is indicated, children with associated type 1 diabetes or IgA deficiency, cases of potential celiac disease, which professionals should perform follow-up, how to improve the communication to patients and their parents/caregivers and transition from pediatric to adult health care. Conclusions: We offer recommendations to improve follow-up of children and adolescents with celiac disease and highlight gaps that should be investigated to further improve management. Show less
Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the small bowel with villous atrophy driven by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. It... Show moreCoeliac disease is an immune-mediated condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the small bowel with villous atrophy driven by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. It occurs frequently in both children and adults, affecting 1-4% of the population. The disease is associated with both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to malabsorption and/or immune activation, and autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase. Removal of gluten from the diet results in resolution of symptoms and enteropathy in the majority of patients. A good diagnostic work-up is important to avoid unnecessary restrictive diets in children. In this review on pediatric coeliac disease, we address epidemiology including predisposing environmental factors and possible preventive strategies, as well as the clinical presentation, diagnosis and follow-up. Show less
Wessels, M.; Dolinsek, J.; Castillejo, G.; Donat, E.; Riznik, P.; Roca, M.; ... ; Mearin, M.L. 2021
Adequate follow-up in celiac disease is important to improve dietary compliance and treat disease-related symptoms and possible complications. However, data on the follow-up of celiac children is... Show moreAdequate follow-up in celiac disease is important to improve dietary compliance and treat disease-related symptoms and possible complications. However, data on the follow-up of celiac children is scarce. We aimed to assess current pediatric celiac follow-up practices across Europe. Pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists from 35 countries in Europe, Israel, Turkey, and Russia completed an anonymous survey which comprised a 52-item questionnaire developed by the ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Celiac Disease. A total of 911 physicians, the majority of whom exclusively worked in pediatric care (83%) and academic institutions (60%), completed the questionnaire. Mean age and mean experience with celiac care were 48.7 years (+/- 10.6) and 15.7 years (+/- 9.9), respectively. The vast majority (>= 92%) always assessed anthropometry, dietary adherence, and tissue-transglutaminase IgA-antibodies at every visit, with the first visit being between 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. Other parameters (% always tested) were as follows: complete blood count (60%), iron status (48%), liver enzymes (42%), thyroid function (38%), and vitamin D (26%). Quality of life was never assessed by 35% of the responding physicians. Transition to adult care was mostly completed via a written transition report (37%) or no formal transition at all (27%).Conclusions: Follow-up of celiac children and adolescents in Europe may be improved, especially regarding a more rational use of (laboratory) tests, dietary and QoL assessment, and transition to adult care. Evidence-based advice from international scientific societies is needed. Show less
Objectives: The ESPGHAN 2012 coeliac disease (CD) diagnostic guidelines aimed to guide physicians in accurately diagnosing CD and permit omission of duodenal biopsies in selected cases. Here, an... Show moreObjectives: The ESPGHAN 2012 coeliac disease (CD) diagnostic guidelines aimed to guide physicians in accurately diagnosing CD and permit omission of duodenal biopsies in selected cases. Here, an updated and expanded evidence-based guideline is presented. Methods: Literature databases and other sources of information were searched for studies that could inform on 10 formulated questions on symptoms, serology, human leukocyte antigen genetics, and histopathology. Eligible articles were assessed using QUADAS2. GRADE provided a basis for statements and recommendations. Results: Various symptoms are suggested for case finding, with limited contribution to diagnostic accuracy. If CD is suspected, measurement of total serum IgA and IgA-antibodies against transglutaminase 2 (TGA-IgA) is superior to other combinations. We recommend against deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP-IgG/IgA) for initial testing. Only if total IgA is low/undetectable, an IgG-based test is indicated. Patients with positive results should be referred to a paediatric gastroenterologist/specialist. If TGA-IgA is >= 10 times the upper limit of normal (10x ULN) and the family agrees, the no-biopsy diagnosis may be applied, provided endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA) will test positive in a second blood sample. Human leukocyte antigen DQ2-/DQ8 determination and symptoms are not obligatory criteria. In children with positive TGA-IgA <10x ULN at least 4 biopsies from the distal duodenum and at least 1 from the bulb should be taken. Discordant results between TGA-IgA and histopathology may require re-evaluation of biopsies. Patients with no/mild histological changes (Marsh 0/I) but confirmed autoimmunity (TGA-IgA/EMA-IgA+) should be followed closely. Conclusions: CD diagnosis can be accurately established with or without duodenal biopsies if given recommendations are followed. Show less
Werkstetter, K.J.; Korponay-Szabo, I.R.; Popp, A.; Villanacci, V.; Salemme, M.; Heilig, G.; ... ; ProCeDe Study Grp 2017