‘High’ rate of undiagnosed coeliac disease in Aussie kids, study reveals
One in 10 children of first-degree relatives tested positive for the condition, Queensland authors say.
The first Australian estimate of coeliac disease prevalence in first-degree relatives supports greater active case finding after patient diagnosis, gastroenterologists report.
Lead author Dr James Daveson, from the Wesley Research Institute in Brisbane, said their findings showed a “high rate” of undiagnosed disease, with one in 10 kids missing a diagnosis.
“The most important outcome of this study will be if it highlights the need for first-degree relatives of people with coeliac disease to be screened for coeliac disease themselves,” he said in a statement.
Dr Daveson’s team invited 202 first-degree relatives — children, siblings or parents — of 134 people with coeliac disease to undergo testing.
