A long-term study in children with a recognized gluten intolerance.
A retrospective and prospective study was carried out on 54 children with gluten intolerance recognized 5-10 years ago. Coeliac disease (CD) was confirmed in 44 (81.5%) patients. The clinical picture in the observed children showed an evolution during the period of analysis. Intestinal symptoms are rare in adolescence (33%) while they are always present in the youngest children (initial diagnosis). At the time of the follow-up analysis, 67% of the patients demonstrated parenteral symptoms, mainly in the osteoarticular system, CNS, skin, mucous membranes and in only 33% children were the intestinal symptoms present. Over one third of the patients demonstrated body weight and height deficiency, 73% of boys and 39% of girls in age of pubescence had no maturity features. Neurological disorders were present in almost two thirds of the cases and about 5% of the children showed an evident mental retardation. Disruption of the gluten-free diet, frequent dietary errors and ineffective cooperation of the parents are the most probable reasons for physical and mental disturbances in the studied children. The obtained therapeutic results call for the creating of multi-disciplinary active care for children with gluten intolerance.