Coeliac disease (CD) is a lifelong intolerance to gluten that affects approximately 1% of the UK population⁽Reference El-Hadi, Tuthill and Lewis¹⁾. It remains vastly under-diagnosed, with only approximately 10% of all cases being diagnosed. Research carried out at the University Hospital of Wales between 1983 and 1998 has shown an increase in the incidence of diagnosed childhood CD in South Glamorgan following the introduction of serological testing (antigliadin and anti-endomysial) in 1990⁽Reference Tuthill, Hawkes and Fifield²⁾. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of diagnosed childhood CD within South Glamorgan between 1999 and 2007 and the effect of the introduction of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG)⁽Reference McPherson³⁾ testing in 2004.

CD incidence rates were calculated for cases diagnosed in the area of South Glamorgan between 1999 and 2007. Mean incidence rates were calculated for each 4-year interval. Population information was taken from the Registrar General's mid-year estimates of childhood population residing in South Glamorgan.

A total of fifty children aged <16 years were identified as residing in the area of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan; thirty-six were diagnosed between 1999 and 2006. The total childhood population decreased slightly from 96 553 in 1999 to 89 630 in 2006.

The diagnosis of childhood CD in South Glamorgan generally rose throughout the current study period. A significant increase in incidence of the disease has been identified since the year 2004, which coincides with the introduction of anti-tTG testing. However, most cases of CD remain undiagnosed.