Epidemiology of Coeliac Disease in Children in One Croatian County: Possible Factors That Could Affect the Incidence of Coeliac Disease and Adherence to a Gluten-free Diet (Part II)

Coeliac disease is a life-long disorder characterised by small-intestinal mucosal damage caused by gluten. The treatment, gluten-free diet, leads to mucosal restoration and reduces the risk of malignant and non-malignant complications. According to our recent results, cumulative incidence in Croatian children is 1:519 life-births. Coeliac disease presents early, mostly with typical symptoms. We investigated possible influences of breast-feeding duration and time of gluten introduction on such presentation of the disease. Study included coeliacs born in Me|imurje between 1985 and 1994 (N = 31). Patients’ adherence to treatment was also studied. Although short breast-feeding (mean 2.9 months) and early gluten introduction (mean 4.9 months) were shown, no correlation was found between those factors and time of the disease presentation. Concerning adherence to gluten-free diet, only 50% of patients mantained it strictly, 23% irregularly, while 27% were on normal diet. In order to improve it, regular follow-ups are recommended