[Seroprevalence of celiac disease at a general pediatric outpatient clinic].
BACKGROUND
Celiac disease is a common problem affecting children and adults, for which early diagnosis and treatment prevent complications and deaths. Seroprevalence studies in our environment are still scarce.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the seroprevalence of celiac disease by using human tissue antiendomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies, among children and adolescents who were attended at a general pediatric outpatient clinic.


METHODS
This was a seroprevalence study of descriptive cross-sectional design. First, assays for guinea pig tissue anti-transglutaminase antibodies were performed. Subsequently, in the positive cases, assays for human tissue antiendomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies were performed.


RESULTS
The seroprevalence of celiac disease by means of anti-guinea pig tissue anti-transglutaminase antibodies was 5% (42/831; 95% CI: 3.76%-6.90%). Considering three positive tests, the seroprevalence was 1.9% (16/831; 95% CI: 1.83%-1.97%). The concordance of human anti-transglutaminase with antiendomysial was 71%.


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of celiac disease was high. Serological screening for celiac disease among children and adolescents who present signs and/or symptoms compatible with celiac disease should be performed routinely, as well as in groups already known to be at risk, given the high seroprevalence of celiac disease observed in our environment.
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Kátia Galeão
KG
Brandt
Giselia Alves Pontes da
GA
Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D011503:Transglutaminases
Soroprevalência da doença celíaca em ambulatório pediátrico, no nordeste do Brasil.