Performance of deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies as first screening for celiac disease in the general pediatric population.

Background: Celiac serology has evolved, with the identification of newer antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptides (DGP) [e.g., anti-DGP, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) types] with sensitivity and specificity in detecting celiac disease (CeD) that are equivalent to anti-tissue transglutaminase [anti-tissue transglutaminase (TTG) IgA]-based tests, particularly in populations with high pretest probability of CeD (prevalence of CeD > 50% of the population under study).

Prevalence and socioeconomic correlates of growth impairment among Saudi children and adolescents.

Background: Saudi Arabia has witnessed economic prosperity leading to changes in diet and lifestyle. Concurrent with these changes, the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity are rising. No recent data exist on the trends and pattern of growth impairment among Saudi children.

Vitamin D and iron deficiencies among Saudi children and adolescents: A persistent problem in the 21 century.

Background: Although several studies have reported on the prevalence of micronutrients in Saudi Arabia, most frequently vitamin D and iron, they are either old or hospital- or primary health care center-based. The objectives of our study were to provide more updated data on the prevalence rate of micronutrients deficiency among the Saudi general pediatric population and to determine if there is an association between micronutrients deficiency and undernutrition.

Methods: The present study is part of a cross-sectional mass screening study, "Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Saudi Arabia" conducted among school-aged children (6-16 years) in 2014-2015.

Diagnosing Coeliac Disease During Mass-Screening of General Paediatric Population: Is Biopsy Avoidable?

Objectives: Studies evaluating the correlation between tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin antibody (TGA-IgA) levels and the degree of enteropathy in screening-detected coeliac disease (CD) patients from the general childhood population are scarce. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the correlation between the TGA-IgA titre and the degree of enteropathy and to evaluate whether the no-biopsy approach to diagnose CD in symptomatic patients proposed by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition could be extended to asymptomatic CD patients diagnosed during mass screening studies.

Methods: The present study is a sub-study of a cross-sectional mass screening study, "Exploring the Iceberg of Coeliacs in Saudi Arabia", conducted among school-aged children (6-15 years) in 2014-2015.

HLA-DQ genotypes relative risks for celiac disease in Arabs: A case-control study.

Objectives: It remains unknown what degree of risk is conferred by celiac disease (CD)-predisposing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ genotypes in Saudi Arabia compared with in Western countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the CD risk gradient associated with the HLA-DQ genotypes and to compare HLA-DQ genotypes between symptomatic patients with CD and screening-identified asymptomatic CD patients.

Methods: We enrolled three groups of subjects, including 46 CD children diagnosed consecutively over the past 10 years, 54 CD children diagnosed during a mass screening of schoolchildren, and 192 healthy controls.

Overweight and obesity among Saudi children and adolescents: Where do we stand today?

Background/aim: To provide the most recent estimate of childhood obesity and determine the trend in childhood obesity in Riyadh city over the past two decades, by comparing our results with previous studies that published data comparable to our study in terms of geography, sample age (6-16 years), and use of World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs to define obesity.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 among school children in Riyadh city. A sample of 7930 children (67% girls) aged 6-16 years were randomly selected.

Where are we today with infection among healthy children in Saudi Arabia?

Background/aims: The available studies on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence among healthy asymptomatic population across Saudi Arabia suffers from significant limitations. We conducted this large population-based study to estimate the H.

Radiographic prediction of meningioma grade by semantic and radiomic features.

Objectives: The clinical management of meningioma is guided by tumor grade and biological behavior. Currently, the assessment of tumor grade follows surgical resection and histopathologic review. Reliable techniques for pre-operative determination of tumor grade may enhance clinical decision-making.

Mass Screening for Celiac Disease Among School-aged Children: Toward Exploring Celiac Iceberg in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: We conducted this mass screening study to determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) and characterize the celiac iceberg among Saudi pediatric population in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: During the study period (January 2014-June 2016), we have conducted a cross-sectional, mass screening, immunoglobulin A-tissue transglutaminase (TTG-IgA)-based study on 7930 Saudi students from primary and intermediate schools in Riyadh. Students with positive TTG-IgA (>20 U/L) were called in the hospital to undergo a repeat of TTG-IgA; in those with borderline positive TTG-IgA (20-60 U/L), IgA-endomyseal antibody (EMA-IgA) test was performed.