Text Box: SERUM ANTIENDOMYSIUM ANTIBODIES IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS Hozyasz K, Rowicka G, Milanowski A, Ksiazyk J Dept. of Pediatrics, National Research Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland Introduction: A wide spectrum in the clinical manifestations of coeliac disease (CD) has been noted for decades. It ranges from the classic syndrome to silent or atypical manifestations, which are frequently observed in association with other diseases. Serologic testing for antiendomysium antibodies (EMA) is useful screening for suspected coeliac disease. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of EMA among patients with chronic diarrhea and diseases that are supposed to be associated with CD. Population and methods: 171 serum samples were obtained from an admitted population (age: 1-18 years) to Pediatric Department over 90 days period. IgA EMA or IgG EMA (in the patients with IgA defieciency) was detected using indirect immunofluorescence method. Results: Disease Category Number EMA-positive Chronic diarrhea/malabsorption syndr. 70 3 Down syndrome 25 0 Idiopathic epilepsia 15 0 CD in relatives 7 0 Addison's disease 2 0 Growth deficiency (> -1,5SD) 5 0 Weight deficiency (> -1,5SD) 47 0 Conclusion: Only 1 in each 57 patients from risk groups of coeliac disease was EMA-positive. The strategy of EMA for all patients from risk groups as a diagnostic test for CD is expensive, with a cost of 3705 PZL (926US$) per patient assessed. Further studies are required to evaluate the cost/effectivness ratio of the selective and mass screening for CD. 2327