Prevalence of neurological problems in a community-based sample of paediatric coeliac disease: a cross-sectional study. Issue 4 (28th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Neill, Thom; Gillett, Peter M; Wood, Philippa; Beattie, David; Patil, Deepa J; Chin, Richard F
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 377
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2021-09-28
• Subjects: epidemiology -- gastroenterology -- neurology; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-321770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The prevalence of and risk factors for neurological problems in childhood coeliac disease (CD) are unclear. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, community-based audit of CD in children diagnosed from January 2010 to December 2016 in Lothian. Results: 79 (28%) of 284 children with CD (201, 70.8% female) (mean age 8.3 years, range of 1–16) had neurological problems. Fifteen (5.3%) had headaches/migraine, 10 (3.5%) anxiety, 8 (2.8%) motor/co-ordination problems / ataxia (there were no patients with ataxia), 7 (2.5%) had behavioural issues, 5 (1.8 %) with ASD, 5 (1.8%) low mood, 4 (1.4%) ADD/ ADHD, 3 (1.1%) seizures and 2 (0.7%) had neuropathy. Neurological problems were more common with later age at CD diagnosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14) and male gender (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.95). Conclusion: Prevalence of neurological problems in children with CD in Lothian is lower than published adult CD studies and similar or lower to the reported prevalence in the general childhood population. Abstract : In a community based sample of children with coeliac disease a lower prevalence of neurological problems was identified than has been described in adult populations.