WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Dr. Ali Sami Mohammed Bresam and Dr. Dhiaa Abdul Amir Obayes

ABSTRACT

Background: While the association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) is well recognized, the clinical presentation and features of both conditions when occurring together are not thoroughly documented, especially in local clinical settings. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of celiac disease among children with T1DM attending the pediatric diabetic clinic at Babylon Maternity and Pediatric Teaching Hospital. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 50 patients diagnosed with T1DM who attended the pediatric diabetic clinic. These patients were screened for celiac disease using serological testing for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. A control group of 50 children without diabetes mellitus was also included for comparison. Controls were selected from those admitted to the hospital for conditions such as gastroenteritis or chest infections, with no history of chronic illness, no clinical suspicion of diabetes, and normal baseline investigations. Results: Among the 50 diabetic patients, 3 cases (6%) tested positive for celiac antibodies. Interestingly, these patients were mostly asymptomatic, and there was no consistent timeframe between the diagnosis of T1DM and the detection of celiac antibodies. In contrast, several patients with classical symptoms of celiac disease, including chronic diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal distension, foul-smelling stools, short stature, and unexplained hypochromic anemia, had negative serological screening results. Conclusion: This study highlights the atypical presentation of celiac disease in children with T1DM. Routine screening is essential, as positive cases may lack typical symptoms, and symptomatic patients may still test negative.