Impact of Short and Long Interval Training of Children with Celiac Disease on Anthropometric Measurements and Disease Findings

Abstract

Aim: This research was carried out with a view to investigate the reflection of adaptation of a gluten-free diet as a result of short interval (once in 15 days) and long interval (once in 3 months) training of 29 celiac patients aged 7-17 years and followed up in Hacettepe University, İhsan Doğramacı Children Hospital Gastroenterology Department, on the clinical, anthropometric and serologic findings of the patients. Subjects and Methods: A total of 14 children who were diagnosed with coeliac disease with a biopsy at the gastroenterology unit of Hacettepe University were given dietetic training at short intervals (CNT - 15 day intervals), and 15 more were given dietetic training at long intervals (DNT 3 month intervals), and evaluated the impact of the training regimens on anthropometric measurements, clinical findings, haemoglobin levels and anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA)at the beginning, 3th month, 6th month of the study period. Results: Despite of an increase of body weight seen in the age group 10-13,in both groups, receiving continuous nutrition training (CNT) and discontinuous nutrition training (DNT), statistically significant increase of body weight was determined at the end of 3 months in the patients receiving CNT, compared to patients receiving DNT (p=0.045). Height for age percentiles were examined, and it was found that the height of the patients <3. percentiles decreased from 60% to 46.6% (13.4%) in DNT group and decreased from 50% to 28.6% (21.4%) in CNT group. The increase in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is deemed significant in the case of CNT patients aged 7-9 (p=0.040). It is found that 9 inception complaints (abdominal swelling, gas, nausea, vomiting, constipation, anemia, eczema, cyanosis and hair loss) out of 18 have not been seen in CNT patients (100%). It is also explored that 2 clinical findings (11.1%) (vomiting, cyanosis) have been completely (100%) eliminated in DNT group. At the end of six months, CNT group’s negative rate is considered more significant compared to the DNT group’s rate (p=0.012). Conclusion: With the training on an adequate and balanced diet, the children and adolescents with life-long celiac disease could catch up with their peers and an improvement in their life qualities through a decrease in frequency of clinical complaints, could be achieved.