Hematological Manifestations of Celiac Disease in Children

Abstract

Objective: The frequency of different hematological manifestations of celiac disease in children.

Study Design: A case series study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Pediatrics Department of Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore from January 2015 to December 2018.

Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children, aged 1 to 12 years, diagnosed with CD. Diagnosis of CD was confirmed as small intestine biopsy showing intestinal mucosal changes as per Modified Marsh criteria, were included Frequency and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables like gender, thrombocytosis, leucopenia, anemia, coagulopathy, iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency whereas mean and standard deviations were calculated for quantitative variables like age.

Results: Out of a total of 120 children, there were 68 (56.7%) male and 52 (43.3%) female, representing a male to female ratio of 1.31:1. Mean age was noted to be 9.21 years with a standard deviation of 2.6 years. Anemia was found in 113 (94.2%) children, thrombocytosis 93 (77.5%), leucopenia 12 (10.0%) and coagulopathy in 10 (8.3%). As per modified marsh scoring, 37 (30.8%) were type 3a, 36 (30.0%) type 3b, 28 (23.3%) type 3c, 17 (14.2%) type 2 and 2 (1.7%) type 1.

Conclusion: In children, hematological abnormalities related celiac disease is quite common. Anemia is the commonest hematological finding that is mostly found accompanying thrombocytosis.