Background: Incidence of the coeliac disease in our population is 0.3 to 0.5%, however, in direct relatives of patients with coeliac disease incidence rises up to 5-15%. Though the disease in not always clinically manifested, it can be identified by serologic screening.
Methods and results: 96 patients treated for active coeliac disease and their 130 siblings were examined. In four of 130 siblings the disease clinically manifested and was confirmed with finding of enteropathy of jejunal mucosa. In 14 out of 126 asymptomatic siblings endomysial antibodies were identified and in 11 of them enteropathy was diagnosed. Coeliac disease was diagnosed in 15 (11.5%) persons from 130 siblings. Also 74 offsprings of 43 parent patients were examined. In four of them the coeliac disease manifested clinically and was later confirmed with finding of enteropathy. Antiglidin antibodies were tested in 45 asymptomatic offsprings with 6 positive results. Endomysial antibodies were tested in 25 asymptomatic offsprings with one positive result. Villous atrophy of jejunal mucosa was found in four asymptomatic offsprings. Coeliac disease was diagnosed in 8 (11.5%) persons from 74 offsprings.
Conclusions: Coeliac disease represent a major risk for the patient's direct relatives. Goal-directed examination and the early diagnosis of the disease in childhood may help to prevent impairments in the development of the child and possible complications later.