Coeliac disease in children in Christchurch, New Zealand: Presentation and patterns from 2000-2010

Table 1 Presenting symptoms or signs in 263 children diagnosed with coeliac disease in Christchurch, New Zealand n (%)

	Presenting sign or symptom	Children
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain	115 (43.6)
	Diarrhoea	101 (38.3)
	Bloating (± increased flatus)	60 (22.7)
	Nausea and vomiting	42 (15.9)
	Constipation	17 (6.4)
Nutritional	Iron deficiency (± anaemia)	84 (31.8)
	Poor weight gains/wasting	65 (24.6)
	Weight loss	27 (10.2)
	Micronutrient deficiency	25 (9.5)
	Short stature	10 (3.8)
Extra-gastrointestinal	Lethargy	36 (13.6)
	Poor health/recurrent infections	12 (4.6)
	Irritability/low mood	11 (4.2)
	Headaches	6 (2.3)
	Pubertal delay	3 (1.1)
	Poor sleep	2 (0.8)
	Neuropsychiatric symptoms	1 (0.4)
Asymptomatic	Identified following screening	38 (14.4)

The presenting features prior to diagnosis were noted. Some children had more than one presenting feature.