Aaron Lerner¹, Sandra Neidhöfer², Torsten Matthias²

The new 2012 ESPGHAN guidelines for the pediatric diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) unraveled and stimulated an old/new discussion on the most efficient case- finding in pediatric CD. The fine balance between reliable serological markers and the gold diagnostic standard of small bowel histology is somewhat better understood. Due to a low diagnostic rate, changes in phenotype, increased incidence, epidemiological shifts, importance of early implementation of gluten free diet to prevent complications, the case-finding of CD should be improved. Our adult gastrointestinal colleagues did not adopt ESPGHAN diagnostic criteria and within the pediatric gastroenterology community, controversies exist. The present editorial on pediatric CD complements an adult CD one. It expands on the drawbacks, limitations and criticisms of the guidelines and calls for prudency, further research and follow-up studies. Until recent observations are implemented in the future guidelines, small bowel histology should remain the gold standard for case-finding in CD.

celiac disease, case-finding, diagnosis, serology, intestinal biopsy, children