Celiac Disease and Risk of Atopy in Childhood

Abstract

The object of this study is to determine whether celiac disease (CD) and atopic disorders are associated and whether atopy and gluten exposure are related. Ninety children (mean age of 9.3 years) being treated for CD were evaluated for a personal and family history of atopic diseases by a detailed questionnaire. In addition, study subjects had a peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum IgE, and skin prick tests for 10 common allergens. Ninety healthy children who attended pediatric well-child clinics or were admitted to the hospital for minor surgery served as age- and sex-matched controls. CD was excluded in the control group by clinical evaluation and by negative anti-gliadin (IgA and IgG) and anti-endomysium antibodies. In the children with CD, the age of onset of atopic disorders was compared with the age of diagnosis of CD. The prevalence of atopic disorders was compared in patients with CD who were submitted to gluten challenge or who had spontaneous challenges as teenagers by consuming gluten in their diet. No differences in the prevalence of atopic disorders was found in the group of children with CD compared to the healthy controls. The prevalence of atopic disorders did not increase with increasing age at diagnosis of CD and was not higher in children with CD who had gluten challenges. The conclusions were: CD and atopy are not associated in childhood celiac disease and atopic disorders are not related to gluten exposure.