The Effect of Gluten-free Diet on Clinical Symptoms and the Intestinal Mucosa of Patients With Potential Celiac Disease

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2018 Apr;66(4):654-656. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001745.

Abstract

In this prospective study, we evaluated the effect of gluten-free diet (GFD) in a cohort of 65 children with potential celiac disease. Patients received GFD for signs/symptoms (N = 47) or parents' choice (N = 18). Most frequent signs/symptoms were low body mass index (36%), recurrent abdominal pain (34%), and diarrhea (19%). Of the 35/47 patients followed-up on GFD, only 54% (19/35) showed a complete clinical response. In 9 of 65 patients an intestinal biopsy was also performed after at least 1 year of GFD. No significant differences were observed in terms of Marsh grade (P = 0.33), lamina propria CD25+ cells (P = 0.80), CD3+ (P = 0.9), and γδ+ (P = 0.59) intraepithelial lymphocytes density and intestinal anti-TG2 deposits (P = 0.60). In conclusion, caution is necessary before attributing all symptoms to gluten in this condition.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Celiac Disease / diet therapy*
  • Celiac Disease / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diet, Gluten-Free / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome