Okul Öncesi Çocuklarda Çölyak Hastalığı: Retrospektif Bir Analiz

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the medical parameters of celiac disease cases in the preschool age group in terms of public health and to make recommendations to health professionals, policy makers and the society. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between February 2017 and December 2018 in Şanlıurfa Education and Research Hospital, Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic. Clinical and laboratory findings of preschool children diagnosed with celiac disease were retrospectively analyzed. Anamnesis, physical examination findings, laboratory findings, endoscopic biopsies and pathology results of pati-ents were evaluated. Results: The most common presenting complaint was growth retardation (96.3%), followed by chronic diarrhea (32.5%) and constipation (27.5%). Height-for-age and weight-for-age values were found to be lower in patients with chronic diarrhea and duodenitis compared to those without (p<0.05). Patients with strong positive tissue transglutaminase-IgA (tTG IgA) levels had significantly higher Marsh scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: For preschool-age children, initiating the diet via early diagnosis and ensuring adherence to diet are the main objectives. Children adhering to the diet have a higher success in elementary school and a shorter adaptation period.