Assessing the Growth and Development of Children with Celiac Disease (1–12 years): A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction: Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease. It affects genetically susceptible individual by making the small intestine permanently sensitive to gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley. Celiac disease is caused by intake of gluten. Patient with celiac disease experiences diarrhea, steatorrhea, weight loss and failure to thrive due to malabsorption. Objective: To assess the growth and development of children with celiac disease (1–12 years) attending the Gastroenterology Department, Advanced Pediatric Centre (APC), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted on 54 children aged 1–12 years with celiac disease, attending the Gastroenterology Outpatient Department (OPD), APC, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India in the month of April 2019. The children were taking treatment and gluten-free diet for at least six months. Ethical approval was taken from the Institute Ethical Committee, National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER, Chandigarh, India and written informed consent was taken from caregivers. The data were collected from caregivers by interview schedule method and the anthropometric assessment of children for weight for age, height for age, mid upper arm circumference (2–6 years) and body mass index (BMI) was collected and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard growth charts. The development of children was assessed using the Vineland Social Maturity Scale. Results: Among 54 subjects, the majority of children 24 (43.5%) started experiencing symptoms of celiac disease at a minor age of 2–4 years. At the time of diagnosis, 25 (46.3%) children were having abdominal distention, 24 (44.4%) abdominal pain, 23 (42.6%) fatigue, 19 (35.2%) diarrhea, 10 (18.5%) low weight and six (10.9%) had short stature. The results of the study showed that 43 (79.6%) had a normal height for age, eight (14.8%) were stunted and three (5.6%) were severely stunted. About 39 (72.2%) subjects had normal weight for age, 11 (20.4%) were underweight and four (7.4%) were severely underweight. A total of 22 (40.1%) subjects had normal BMI, 13 (24.1%) were wasted and 12 (22.2%) were severely wasted. Out of 20 subjects, 16 (29.6%) were having normal mid-upper arm circumference. According to the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, 53 (98.1%) subjects had average social development. Conclusion: According to the WHO standard growth charts, the majority of children in the present study, were found normal in growth due to adherence to treatment and diet. According to the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, most of the participants were found normal in development.

Keywords: celiac disease, children, development, gluten-free diet, growth, short stature

Cite this Article

Rupinder Kaur, Sukhwinder Kaur, Anuja, Kaislash, Nandini, Shiwani Thakur. Assessing the Growth and Development of Children with Celiac Disease (1–12 years): A Descriptive Study. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Immunology. 2019; 9(3): 12–19p.