All scholar children aged 5-10 years living in the cities of Ancona and Verona will be invited to partecipate. Children enrolled will be investigated as follows:~HLA DQ2/DQ8 genotyping (by a rapid test)~In children genetically predisposed to CD serological investigations will be performed (both IgA TTG and IgG DGP antibodies)~The overall population will be evaluated for the prevalence and severity of dental caries (by using the DMFT/dmft index)
The main aim of the study is to currently define the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in children aged 5-10 years in 2 Italian cities (Ancona and Verona). The screening protocol is based on a 1st line genetic test (searche of HLA DQ2/DQ8 genotypes) followed by a serological diagnosis (IgA TTG and IgG DGP).