Background and Aims Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) in children are a group of diseases that not only affects the kidneys but also all systems of the body particularly causing anemia, bone diseases and failure to thrive in that age group. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) manifestations are not thoroughly highlighted in those patients although they definitely have repercussions on their growth and development. GIT diseases such as celiac disease (CD) has been long linked to renal manifestations either through increasing risk of kidney diseases or as a proved association. The aim of this study was screening for celiac disease and GIT symptoms among pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease. Method A case-control study included 90 CKD patients from Nephrology unit, Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University, who has been diagnosed for at least 3 months and not receiving steroids or immunosuppressive therapy: 60 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on regular hemodialysis (HD) & 30 with CKD on conservative treatment. Their ages ranged between 2-13 years old, 47 males, 43 females. 200 controls were also enrolled in the study (for GIT manifestations): healthy children with ages ranging from 2-13 years old, 77 males, 123 females within a period of 12 months. All patients & controls were interviewed about GIT manifestations they regularly experience and any GIT troubles they have. All CKD patients were screened for CD by Anti Tissue transglutaminase IgG and IgA blood testing. Results Reviewing the most significant GIT symptoms among patients, we found that 86.7% had mucoid diarrhea, 77.8% had abdominal distension, 75.6% had anorexia, 64.4% had epigastric pain, 51.1% had watery diarrhea, 30% had nausea, 30% had vomiting, and 25.6% had constipation. None suffered from hematemesis, melena or bloody diarrhea. GIT symptoms were significantly more pronounced in CKD patients compared to controls and even more in ESRD patients than CKD patients. All patients were negative for CD screening by Anti Tissue transglutaminase IgG and IgA. No significant correlations were seen between Anti Tissue transglutaminase IgG and IgA and age, sex, anthropometric measures (except for BMI), biochemical results (except for s. ferritin) or eitiology of renal disease were observed. Conclusion GIT troubles are more pronounced in children with CKD compared to age and sex matched healthy controls. CD is not particularly prevalent among CKD pediatric patients compared to the known percentage among this age population.

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