Introduction:

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten, in people with a genetic predisposition. Its prevalence is increasing and the nutritional impact of the disease and its treatment is the subject of numerous publications.

Objective:

to analyze the comprehensive nutritional status of patients with CD, treated at the Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano CANIA, between 1996 and 2016.

Methods:

descriptive, retrospective and transectional research. The variables studied: age, sex, comprehensive nutritional diagnosis (anthropometric, bone maturation, dietary and biochemical indicators) and compliance with a gluten- free diet.

Results:

55 patients with CD were evaluated, the majority between 2 and 7 years (58.2%) with a predominance of females. The most frequent nutritional diagnosis was malnutrition in 56.4%, 16.4% had short stature. The delay in bone maturation occurred in 33.3%, and showed a significant association with malnutrition. Serum iron deficiency and hypocalcemia were recorded in 24.4% and 18.8% of patients. Compliance with the gluten-free diet was reported in 78.2% of cases. The diet had a tendency towards a deficit of energy, macro and micronutrients, especially fats and calcium, regardless of compliance.

Conclusion:

the results showed that patients are vulnerable from a nutritional point of view. The diet showed a deficit of energy, macronutrients and calcium. The majority presented some degree of malnutrition. Nutritional care must be offered to this population, from the moment the diagnosis is made, regardless of age.