Emotional functioning of children and adolescents with celliac disease

Objective. determine if there are symptoms of depression and thus the impairment of the emotional functioning of children with celiac disease in relation to healthy children of the same age Methods. The research was conducted as a prospective, observational study. The study group consisted of N 116 subjects (children and adolescents) aged 5-18 years who were diagnosed with celiac disease. The control group consisted of the same number of healthy children who met the basic criteria of matching with the examined group according to age and gender. To assess emotional functioning and detect symptoms of depression Mood and Feelings Questionnaire Short - MFQ -Child was used. Results. In the gruoup of children with celiac disease there is a statistically significant greater preference for depression (p <0.001). Conclusion. In children and adolescents with a diagnosis of celiac disease, it is necessary to keep in mind the psychological dimension of the disease. A gluten-free diet can create problems in the acceptance of a child by its peers. In children and adolescents with a diagnosis of celiac disease a state of psychological stress can also occur, mainly due to the discomfort caused by a different diet compared to their peers. Accepting the disease and successfully managing a gluten-free diet requires a team approach.