CELIAC-DISEASE IN TURKISH SHORT-STATURED CHILDREN AND THE VALUE OF ANTIGLIADIN ANTIBODY IN DIAGNOSIS

Background: It is generally accepted that celiac disease (CD) must alw ays be taken into consideration when dealing with children manifesting growth failure. It is, therefore, important to have laboratory tests capable of detecting patients who should undergo intestinal biopsy. In this study, we have prospectively evaluated clinical characteristics, gliadin antibody measurements and duodenal biopsies in 47 children wi th short stature and without gastrointestinal symptoms, in order to de termine the incidence of CD and the diagnostic value of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA) for CD. Methods: Anthropom etric parameters and IgA- and Ige AGA were evaluated in 47 children wi th short stature. Antigliadin antibodies were measured by enzyme-linke d immunosorbent assay (Euroimmun kit). Endoscopic intestinal biopsies were taken from all children. Results. On the basis of intestinal biop sy, 26 (55.3%) patients were found to be probable CD. Sensitivity, spe cificity, positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV ) for IgA AGA was found to be 23, 90, 75 and 48%, respectively. Sensit ivity, specificity and PPV for IgG AGA was 100, 0 and 55%, respectivel y. The NPV for Ige AGA was not determined. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that because of their incomplete sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, intestinal biopsy can not be replaced by the se tests.