The pediatricians’ knowledge on celiac sprue: pilot study

Abstract

In spite of having been demonstrated that the celiac sprue is a more frequent condition than imagined in the past, it stillhappens delay between the beginning of the symptoms and the accomplishment of the diagnosis. A reason for this fact isrepresented by the professionals’ of health failure in recognizing the several clinical manifestations of the celiac sprue and inknowing which the exams adapted for the diagnosis. This study was accomplished seeking to evaluate the pediatricians’knowledge on the celiac sprue. Data was obtained of questionnaire, distributed during X National Congress of Pediatrics, inthe period of 12 to June 14, 2008, in Salvador, Bahia. It were analyzed 63 questionnaires. The signs and more pointed symptomsthan they would take them to suspect of celiac sprue they were: chronic diarrhea (62), low weight (58), abdominal distention(57), low stature (49) and abdominal pain (39). Relatives of first degree carriers (48), deficiency of IgA (28) and diabetes mellitustype 1 (27) they were the factors of risks more indicated by the pediatricians. In relation to the manifestations extragastrointestinais,they were marked with more frequency anemia (46), delayed puberty (40), hipoplasia of the dental enamel(30), atopic dermatitis (28) and herpetiforme dermatitis (18). Of the laboratory tests, the more requested was intestinal biopsy(44), anti-gliadin (47), anti-endomysium (42) and anti-transglutaminase antibodies (26). Gluten was aimed by most (98%) asthe food that should be excluded of the diet and 84% of the participants answered that the diet should be proceeded for alifetime. The marked victuals that should be excluded of the diet they were wheat (61), rye (54), barley (51) and oat (44). Theassociated complications the celiac sprue mentioned with more frequency was: low stature (59), anemia (51) and osteopenia(24). The presented data demonstrated that the pediatricians knew how to recognize the classic form of the celiac sprue, but theneed still exists of to enlarge and to modernize the those professionals’ of health knowledge in celiac sprue, above all in relationto the atipic forms.