The stomach as the target organ of celiac disease

The aim of this study was to observe the features of chronic gastritis in children with celiac disease (СD). Materials and methods. 176 children with chronic gastritis (CG) aged from 3 to 16 years were examined. Group I consisted 58 child ren with CG and newly diagnosed CD not adherent to the gluten-free diet (GFD), group II consisted 49 children with CG and CD, adherent to the GFD. In the group III of comparisons were 69 children with CG and excluded CD. The exa mination included serological, morphological methods to confirm or exclude CD. The histological examination of the biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa, the determination of antiparietal antibodies by the method of iIFR and ELISA (antibodies to Castle’s intrinsic factor and Anti-H+/K+ ATPase antibodies) were carried out. Results. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in vast majority of patients in all groups. Autoantibodies to the gastric mucosa were found in every tenth patient in groups I and III, and did not occur in group II. In group II statistically significant the etiology of gastritis remained not determined. Endoscopically the gastric mucosa in groups I and II often remained intact. Accor ding to the morphological study in groups I and II, the pathological process was more often localized in the body of the stomach, and in group III in the antrum. Autoimmune gastritis is presented in groups without a statistically significant difference. Conclusion. Chronic gastritis is a frequent co-morbid pathology in СD, and it is also not uncommon in these patients. Data of endoscopy in children, regardless of diet, does not reflect the complete picture of CG. All children with CD, regardless of compliance with GFD, are recommended to take biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa for histological examination in order to exclude CG, and in case of detecting atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa to define the antiparietal antibodies.