HOSPITAL SCREENING OF CELIAC-DISEASE IN ESTONIAN CHILDREN BY ANTIGLIADIN ANTIBODIES OF IGA CLASS

Seven hundred consecutive patients from Tartu Children's Clinic were s creened for coeliac disease by IgA class anti-gliadin antibody enzyme- linked immunosorbent test during January 1 to May 31, 1991. A positive anti-gliadin antibody test result was revealed in 11 children and in 8 coeliac disease was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Europ ean Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. There was n o suspicion of coeliac disease before anti-gliadin antibody determinat ions in five children and two were asymptomatic. In five children, no suspicion of coeliac disease was raised beforehand. The present study shows that coeliac disease is underdiagnosed in Estonia.