CHRONIC DIARREHA: FREQUENCY OF CELIAC DISEASE IN CHILDERNS AT TEATIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease of chronic origin affecting children as well adults and characterized by an unusual response towards gluten present in diet particularly in subjects who are genetically vulnerable. This leads injury to small intestinal mucosa and may be capable of various systemic effects. Objective: To determine the frequency of celiac disease in children presenting in the course of chronic diarrhea by using serological markers. Study Design: This study was Cross sectional. Setting: Pediatrics department, Peoples Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) at Nawabshah. Duration of Study: January 2017- December 2017. Subject and Methods: After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 260 subjects with signs and symptoms of celiac disease visiting the department of Pediatrics, Peoples Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah were recruited in research. Results: Celiac Disease was diagnosed in 32 (12.3%) subjects with chronic diarrhea. Conclusion: Celiac Disease is commonly seen amongst subjects of chronic diarrhea and gluten-free diet is associated with considerable improvement in clinical features of Celia Disease. All subjects with chronic diarrhea must be evaluated routinely for celiac disease. Keywords: Chronic Diarrhea, Celiac Disease, Tissue Transglutaminase autoantibodies