Clinical-anthropometric and laboratory-instrumental characteristics of iron deficiency states in children with celiac disease

Abstract

Aim. To increase detection frequency and reduce the risk of celiac disease complications based on a comprehensive analysis of patterns of iron deficiency states in the active period of celiac disease in children. Materials and methods. 228 children diagnosed with celiac disease, aged 8 months to 18 years, were enrolled. Forms of iron deficiency (ID) were determined according to the complete blood count. Results. The median age of onset was 1.0 [0.6; 2.6] years in children without ID; 1.0 [0.5; 2.1] years in the latent iron deficiency (LID) group and 1.2 [0.5; 3.0] years in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The median age at diagnosis of celiac disease in the analyzed groups was years, respectively. Gastrointestinal symptoms of celiac disease were more common in children with IDA, who were diagnosed with total villous atrophy of the small intestinal mucosa (SIM) in 82.1% of cases, which was 5 times higher than in children with LID (p=0.001) and 2.5 times higher than in children without IDS (p=0.001). Conclusion. Iron deficiency states in the active period of celiac disease have been diagnosed in 73.3% of patients, with the highest incidence observed in infants and older children.