Celiac Disease in Course of Lymphocytic Colitis in Children

Lymphocytic colitis belongs to the group of microscopic colitis and it was first described in 1989 by Lazenby. Diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination, which shows characteristic changes in the form of chronic inflammation with increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, more than 20/100 epithelial cells. The aim of this study was a retrospective analysis of the clinical course of lymphocytic colitis and coexisting diseases, including celiac disease, in children and adolescents. The retrospective analysis included 52 children with lymphocytic colitis, hospitalized in the Gastroenterology Department, Department of Pediatrics Medical University of Silesia Katowice. Lymphocytic inflammation of the upper gastrointestinal tract, manifested in the form of lymphocytic infiltration (> 30/100 enterocytes) associated with villi damage and crypt hypertrophy, occurred in 10 patients (19%).The occurrence of lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract significantly correlated with the clinical manifestation of lymphocytic colitis, and was predominant in the group of older children. Despite, microscopic colitis is rare in children, it may be important to think of it in this group of age. The clinical picture and etiology of lymphocytic colitis in children, in many cases, is different than in adult. Celiac disease seems to be more prevalent in children with lymphocytic colitis.