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This Swedish study of children screened for coeliac disease and followed up five years later showed that around a third with positive serology but normal biopsy had since developed coeliac disease. Conversely, very few children with negative serology became coeliac. Objective We previously performed a population-based mass screening of coeliac disease in children aged 12 years in two birth cohorts resulting in 296 seropositive children, of whom 242 were diagnosed with coeliac disease after duodenal biopsies. In this follow-up study, we wanted to identify new cases in the screening population that tested negative-either converting from potential coeliac disease (seropositive but normal duodenal mucosa) or converting from seronegative at screening to diagnosed coeliac disease. Methods All seropositive children were invited to a follow-up appointment 5 years after the screening with renewed serological testing and recommended endoscopic investigation if seropositive. Seronegative children in the screening study (n=12 353) were linked to the National Swedish Childhood Coeliac Disease Register to find cases diagnosed in healthcare during the same period. Results In total, 230 (77%) came to the follow-up appointment, including 34 of 39 with potential coeliac disease. Of these, 11 (32%) had converted to coeliac disease. One new case was found in the National Swedish Childhood Coeliac Disease Register who received the diagnosis through routine screening in children with type 1 diabetes. Conclusions There is a high risk of conversion to coeliac disease among those with potential disease. However, a negative screening test was associated with a very low risk for a clinical diagnosis within a follow-up period of 5 years., Funding Agencies|Umea University; European UnionEuropean Commission [FP6-2005-FOOD-4B-36383-PREVENTCD]; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research CouncilEuropean Commission [521-2004-7093, 521-2007-2953]; Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial PlanningSwedish Research Council Formas [222-2004-1918, 222-2007-1394]; Swedish Council for Working Life and Social ResearchSwedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council for Health Working Life & Welfare (Forte) [2005-0802]; Vasterbotten County Council [RV-238151]

AIM: The aim of our study was to examine whether there is a difference in coeliac disease prevalence in regard to parents' education level and occupation, and whether this differs between screened and clinically diagnosed children at the age of 12 years. METHODS: The study, Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden (ETICS), was a school-based screening study of 12-year-old children that was undertaken during the school years 2005/2006 and 2009/2010. Data on parental education and occupation were reported from parents of the children. Specifically, by parents of 10 710 children without coeliac disease, 88 children diagnosed with coeliac disease through clinical care, and 231 who were diagnosed during the study. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant associations between occupation and coeliac disease for either the clinically detected (prevalence ratio 1.16; confidence interval 0.76-1.76) or screening-detected coeliac disease cases (prevalence ratio 0.86; confidence interval 0.66-1.12) in comparison with children with no coeliac disease. Also, there were no statistically significant associations for parental education and coeliac disease diagnosis. CONCLUSION: There was no apparent relationship between coeliac disease and socio-economic position. Using parents' socio-economic status as a tool to help identify children more likely to have coeliac disease is not recommended.

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Aim: In 2012, revised criteria for diagnosing childhood coeliac disease were published by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and incorporated into the revised Swedish guidelines the same year. These made it possible, in certain cases, to diagnose coeliac disease without taking small bowel biopsies. This survey assessed the extent to which the new guidelines were implemented by Swedish paediatric clinics two years after their introduction. Methods: In October 2014, we distributed a paper questionnaire including five questions on diagnostic routines to the 40 paediatric clinics in university or regional hospitals in Sweden that perform small bowel biopsies. Results: All 36 (90%) clinics that responded used anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies as the initial diagnostic test and some also used serological markers. Most clinics (81%) used endoscopy and took multiple duodenal biopsies, whereas only a few (19%) occasionally employed a suction capsule. Almost all clinics (86%) omitted taking small bowel biopsies in symptomatic children with repeatedly high coeliac serology and positive genotyping, thereby avoiding the need for invasive endoscopy under anaesthesia. Conclusion: The 2012 Swedish Paediatric Coeliac Disease Diagnostic Guidelines had been widely accepted and implemented in routine health care two years after their introduction.

Aim: Crohns disease (CD) is a chronic mucosal inflammation that affects the intestinal barrier function, for example, by altering the intestinal permeability. This pilot clinical study investigated the impact of oral human immunoglobulin (OHIG) treatment on permeability characteristics in children with active luminal Crohns disease. Methods: The study was performed at the Department of Paediatrics, Norrkoping Hospital, Sweden. Intestinal permeability was studied in three boys aged 13, 15 and 18 years with active CD, before and after a six-week treatment programme with OHIG, using different-sized polyethylene glycols as the test molecules. Three age-and sex-matched children with active CD treated with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) were also studied. Results: OHIG and EEN resulted in virtually similar reductions in the signs and symptoms of mucosal inflammation. However, OHIG, unlike EEN, appeared to normalise mucosal transfer leading to a normalisation of the maximum permeation of the small PEG molecules, as well as less restrictions of the larger PEG molecules. Conclusion: Our study found that OHIG appeared to normalise the mucosal barrier. This suggests that it could offer a new additional and versatile treatment for paediatric CD patients, with a minimal risk of adverse effects., Funding Agencies|Bayer AG; County Council of Ostergotland, Sweden

Ischiospinal dysostosis (ISD) is a polytopic dysostosis characterized by ischial hypoplasia, multiple segmental anomalies of the cervicothoracic spine, hypoplasia of the lumbrosacral spine and occasionally associated with nephroblastomatosis. ISD is similar to, but milder than the lethal/semilethal condition termed diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD), which is associated with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations of bone morphogenetic protein-binding endothelial regulator protein (BMPER) gene. Here we report for the first time biallelic BMPER mutations in two patients with ISD, neither of whom had renal abnormalities. Our data supports and further extends the phenotypic variability of BMPER-related skeletal disorders., Funding Agencies|Stockholm County Council; Karolinska Institutet; Kronprinsessan Lovisas; Axel Tiellmans Minnesfond Foundation; Samariten Foundation; Sallskapet Barnavard Foundation; Promobilia Foundations; Genome Technology to Business Translation Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) - Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning of the government of Republic of Korea [NRF-2014M3C9A2064684]

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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the gluten-free diet (GFD) adherenceafter one year of follow-up in children with screening-detected celiac disease (CD) in a general population. METHODS: A total of 18,325 12 year olds were invited to participate in apopulation-based CD screening (ETICS- Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden), of whom 13,279 participated. In 240 children, CD was detected through elevated anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies 2 (TG2-IgA) and verified by a small-intestinal biopsy. This sub-study included the 210 children with TG2-IgAevaluated both at the initialbiopsy occasion and at the one-year follow-up. GFD adherence was evaluated by a combination of TG2-IgA measurements and self-reported adherence (n = 193). RESULTS: After one year, 83% (179/210) had normalizedTG2-IgA levels (<5U/mL). Among those who had >50 U/mL at diagnosis,25% (16/63) still had elevated TG2-IgA but for the majority their initial values were more than halved. Most reported a high level ofGFD adherence ('always' 75%(158/193) and 'often' 14%(30/193)), and 75% (145/193) reported always adhereingcombined with normalized TG2-IgA. Although reporting that they were always adherent, 13 (6.7%) had not yet normalized their TG2-IgA levels completely, however, a majority of these initially had the highestTG2-IgA levels. CONCLUSIONS: GFD adherence is high in adolescents with CD detected by screening of the general population of Swedish 12yearolds. Almost all had normalized serology and reported GFD adherenceat the one-year follow-up. However, a few adolescents whoreported GFD adherence still had elevated TG2-IgA levelssuggesting more severe disease and/or non-adherence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate any potential correlation between anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies of type immunoglobulin A (tTG-IgA) and the degree of gluten induced enteropathy in children participating in a screening study for celiac disease (CD) and to assess to what extent the revised ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) guidelines cover this group of patients. METHODS: This is a sub-study of a cross-sectional CD screening study, ETICS (Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden), a two-phased study performed during 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. The 13,279 participating children had a blood test obtained and those with positive tTG-IgA were recommended a small intestinal biopsy. The tTG-IgA levels at the time of biopsy were compared with the assessment of the biopsy. RESULTS: There were 267 children included, of whom 230 were diagnosed with CD. Out of all children, 67 children had low tTG-IgA levels (<5 U/mL), whereof 55% had Marsh 3 lesions. All children with tTG-IgA levels exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal values of 5 U/mL, i.e. 50 U/mL, were diagnosed with CD. Lowering the cut-off to 3 U/mL, all but one child with 30 U/mL got CD diagnosis. CONCLUSION: By adapting the revised ESPGHAN criteria, biopsies could have been omitted in a fourth of all cases. Our results indicate, that the criteria might be useful even on screened children. Further studies are needed to confirm whether the 2012 ESPGHAN guidelines should be revised to also apply to the populations being screened.

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A dietary survey was performed during a large screening study in Sweden among 13-year-old adolescents. The aim was to study how the intake of food groups was affected by a screening-detected diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) and its gluten-free (GF) treatment. Food intake, was reported using a food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and intake reported by the adolescents who was screened to CD was compared with the intake of two same-aged referent groups: i) adolescents diagnosed to CD prior screening and ii) adolescents without CD.. The food intake groups were measured at baseline before the screening-detected cases were aware of their CD, and 12-18 months later. The result showed that the food intakes are affected by a screen detected CD and its dietary treatment. Many flour-based foods were reduced such as pizza, fish fingers, and pastries. The result also indicated that the bread intake was lower before the screened diagnosis compared to the other studied groups, but increased afterwards. Specially manufactured GF-products (e.g. pasta and bread) were frequently used in the screened CDgroup after changing to a GF-diet. Our results suggest that changing to a GF-diet reduces the intake of some popular foods, and the ingredients on the plate are altered, but this do not necessarily include a change of food groups. The availability of manufactured GF-replacement products makes it possible for adolescents to keep many of their old food habits when diagnosed with CD in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with celiac disease remains limited and inconclusive. We investigated the HRQoL of three groups of 12-year-olds with: i) undetected celiac disease ii) clinically diagnosed celiac disease, and iii) without celiac disease. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional multicenter screening study invited 18 325 children, whereof 68% consented to participate. Participants provided a blood sample, which was later analyzed for anti-tissue-tranglutaminase antibodies, and alongside filled in a questionnaire. When anti-tissue-tranglutaminase antibodies were elevated, a small intestinal biopsy verified the screening-detected celiac disease diagnosis. Self-reported HRQoL was measured using Kidscreen, a generic 52 items instrument with proven reliability and validity. Scores were linearly transformed into a 0-100 scale with higher values indicating better HRQoL. Mean values with standard deviations (mean +/- SD) were compared, and uni- and multivariate logistic regression models tested the odds of a low HRQoL among children with undetected or diagnosed celiac disease, respectively. RESULTS: Children with undetected celiac disease (n = 238) reported similar HRQoL as children without celiac disease (n = 12 037) (83.0 +/- 11.0 vs. 82.5 +/- 11.3, P = 0.51), and also similar HRQoL (82.2 +/- 12.2, P = 0.28) to that of children with diagnosed celiac disease (n = 90), of whom 92% were adherent to treatment. Having undetected celiac disease did not increase the odds of low overall HRQoL, independent of sex, area of residence, study year and occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms (adjusted odds ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.54-1.10). Comparable results were seen for diagnosed celiac disease cases (adjusted odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI 0.67-1.85) CONCLUSION: Children with undetected celiac disease reported comparable HRQoL as their peers with diagnosed celiac disease, and those without celiac disease, when reporting prior

Objectives. Studies have suggested a correlation between untreated celiac disease and risk for other autoimmune diseases. We investigated the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in 12-year-old children (i) with symptomatic celiac disease diagnosed and treated with a gluten-free diet, (ii) with screening-detected untreated celiac disease, and (iii) without celiac disease. Methods. Blood samples from 12632 children were collected. All celiac disease cases, previously diagnosed and newly screening-detected, were identified. Per case, 4 referents were matched. Blood samples were analyzed for autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb). The cut-off value for TPO positivity was set to 100 U/mL. Results. Altogether, 335 celiac disease cases were found. In the entire celiac disease group, 7.2% (24/335) had elevated titers of TPOAb compared to 2.8% (48/1695) of the referents. Among the previously diagnosed celiac disease cases, 7.5% (7/93, OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.4) was TPOAb positive and among screening-detected cases, 7.0% (17/242, OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.6) was TPOAb positive. Conclusion. Children with celiac disease showed a higher prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity. We could not confirm the hypothesis that untreated celiac disease is associated with increased risk of developing thyroid autoimmunity. Early initiation of celiac disease treatment might not lower the risk for other autoimmune diseases.

Background: Untreated celiac disease is traditionally believed to be associated with malabsorption and underweight. However, studies describing body mass index (BMI) in individuals at the time of diagnosis have shown contradictory results. We investigated the differences in weight, height, and BMI in 12- year-old children with screening-detected celiac disease compared to their healthy peers. Methods: In a population-based screening study of 12,632 12-year-old children, blood samples were analyzed for markers of celiac disease. Children with elevated markers were referred for a small bowel biopsy. Weight and height were measured in 239 out of 242 children with screening-detected celiac disease (57.3% girls) and in 12,227 children without celiac disease (48.5% girls). BMI was categorized according to the International Obesity Task Force. Age- and sex-specific cut-off points for underweight, normal weight, and overweight were used. Results: Children with celiac disease weighed less and were shorter than their peers (median weight 45.2 kg, interquartile range (IQR) 40.2-52.2 kg vs. 47.0 kg, IQR 41.1-54.4 kg, respectively, p = 0.01; median height 156.5 cm, IQR 151.0-162.0 cm vs. 157.5 cm, IQR 152.0-163.0 cm, respectively, p = 0.04). In comparing those with celiac disease to their healthy peers, 4.2% vs. 5.2% were underweight, 82.0% vs. 72.8% were normal weight, and 13.8% vs. 21.9% were overweight, respectively. There was no association between being underweight and the risk of having undiagnosed celiac disease (Odds ratio (OR) 1.3, 95% CI 0.7-2.4), but the risk was significantly lower among overweight children (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.4-0.8). Median BMI was slightly lower among the children with screening-detected celiac disease compared to their healthy peers (18.6 kg/m(2), IQR 17.1-19.8 kg/m(2) vs. 18.8 kg/m(2), IQR 17.2-21.1 kg/m(2), respectively, p = 0.05), but most of the celiac disease cases had a normal BMI. Conclusions: At a population level, children with celiac dise

The only known treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet (GFD), which initially meant abstention from wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Recently, oats free from contamination with wheat have been accepted in the GFD. Yet, reports indicate that all celiac disease patients may not tolerate oats. We hypothesized that celiac children comply well with a GFD and that most have included oats in their diet. A food questionnaire was used to check our patients; 316 questionnaires were returned. Mean time on the GFD was 6.9 years, and 96.8% of the children reported that they were trying to keep a strict GFD. However, accidental transgressions occurred in 263 children (83.2%). In 2 of 3 cases, mistakes took place when the patients were not at home. Symptoms after incidental gluten intake were experienced by 162(61.6%) patients, mostly (87.5%) from the gastrointestinal tract. Small amounts of gluten (less than4 g) caused symptoms in 38% of the cases, and 68% reported symptoms during the first 3 hours after gluten consumption. Oats were included in the diet of 89.4% of the children for a mean of 3.4 years. Most (81.9%) ate purified oats, and 45.3% consumed oats less than once a week. Among those who did not consume oats, only 5.9% refrained because of symptoms. General compliance with the GFD was good. Only the duration of the GFD appeared to influence adherence to the diet. Most patients did not report adverse effects after long-term consumption of oats.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of symptoms and associated conditions among screening-detected celiac disease (CD) cases and non-CD children and to evaluate questionnaire-based case-finding targeting the general population. METHODS: In a population-based CD screening of 12-year-olds, children and their parents completed questionnaires on CD-associated symptoms and conditions before knowledge of CD status. Questionnaire data for those who had their CD detected in the screening (n = 153) were compared with those of children with normal levels of CD markers (n = 7016). Hypothetical case-finding strategies were also evaluated. Questionnaires were returned by 7054 (98%) of the children and by 6294 (88%) of their parents. RESULTS: Symptoms were as common among screening-detected CD cases as among non-CD children. The frequency of children with screening-detected CD was similar when comparing the groups with and without any CD-related symptoms (2.1% vs 2.1%; P = .930) or CD-associated conditions (3.6% vs 2.1%; P = .07). Case-finding by asking for CD-associated symptoms and/or conditions would have identified 52 cases (38% of all cases) at a cost of analyzing blood samples for 2282 children (37%) in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: The current recommended guidelines for finding undiagnosed CD cases, so-called active case-finding, fail to identify the majority of previously undiagnosed cases if applied in the general population of Swedish 12-year-olds. Our results warrant further studies on the effectiveness of CD case-finding in the pediatric population, both at the clinical and population-based levels.

AIM: Childhood obesity is now an established public health problem in most developed countries, and there is concern about a parallel increase of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in overweight Swedish school children from 11 to 13 years of age. METHODS: Body mass index (BMI) was measured in 5528 schoolchildren in the 6th grade, from 11 to 13 years of age, in five different regions in Sweden. Overweight was defined by international age- and sex-specific BMI cut-offs, corresponding to adult BMI cut-offs of 25 kg/m(2) at 18 years of age (ISO-BMI ≥25, n = 1275). Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured in 1126 children with ISO-BMI ≥25. Children with a Diabetes Control and Complications Trial aligned HbA1c ≥6.1% on two occasions underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to establish the diabetes diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 1126 children with ISO-BMI ≥25, 24 (2.1%) had at least one HbA1c value ≥6.1%. Three of them had HbA1c ≥6.1% on two occasions, and all of them had a normal OGTT. CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional, population-based screening study of a high-risk group of 11- to 13-year-old Swedish school children, we found no indication of undiagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.

Background Faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by the gut microflora. We have previously reported high faecal SCFA levels in children with coeliac disease (CD), indicating alteration in gut microfloral metabolism. Data accumulated over recent decades by us and others suggest that wheat-free oats can safely be included in a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, concerns have been raised with respect to the safety of oats in a subset of coeliacs. Aim To describe faecal SCFA patterns in children with newly diagnosed CD treated for 1year with a GFD with or without oats. Methods This report is part of a randomised, double-blind study on the effect of a GFD containing oats (GFD-oats) vs. a standard GFD (GFD-std). Faecal samples were received from 34 children in the GFD-oats group and 37 in the GFD-std group at initial diagnosis and/or after 1year on a GFD. Faecal SCFAs were analysed. Results The GFD-std group had a significantly lower total faecal SCFA concentration at 12months compared with 0months (Pless than0.05). In contrast, total SCFA in the GFD-oats group remained high after 1year on the GFD. The children in the GFD-oats group had significantly higher acetic acid (Pless than0.05), n-butyric acid (Pless than0.05) and total SCFA concentration (Pless than0.01) after 1-year diet treatment compared to the GFD-std group. Conclusions Our results indicate that oats do affect the gut microflora function, and that some coeliac children receiving oats may develop gut mucosal inflammation, that may present a risk for future complications.

BackgroundFood habits, nutrient needs and intakes differ between males and females, although few nutritional studies on patients with coeliac disease (CD) have reported results stratified by gender. ObjectivesTo compare energy and nutrient intakes among 13-year olds diagnosed with CD in early childhood with those of a non-coeliac (NC) age- and gender-matched control group, and also with estimated average requirements (EAR). MethodsA case-control study was conducted in Sweden 2006-2007 within the coeliac screening study ETICS (Exploring The Iceberg of Coeliacs in Sweden). Dietary intake was assessed among 37 adolescents (23 girls) diagnosed with CD at median age 1.7years (CD group) and 805 (430 girls) NC controls (NC group) using a food-frequency questionnaire covering 4weeks. Reported energy intake was validated by comparison with the calculated physical activity level (PAL). ResultsRegardless of CD status, most adolescents reported an intake above EAR for most nutrients. However, both groups had a low intake of vitamin C, with 13% in the CD-group and 25% in the NC-group below EAR, and 21% of boys in the CD-group below EAR for thiamine. The intake of fatty acids was unbalanced, with a high intake of saturated and a low intake of unsaturated fats. Girls and boys in the CD-group had an overall lower nutrient density in reported food intake compared to girls and boys in the NC-group. ConclusionsNutrient intake of adolescent girls and boys with CD was mostly comparable to intakes of NC controls. Dietitians should take the opportunity to reinforce a generally healthy diet when providing information about the gluten-free diet.