Gluten Consumption in Childhood Linked to Celiac Disease Risk

by Colleen Fleiss on August 18, 2019 at 4:05 PM

Gluten consumption during the first five years of life was linked to a higher risk of celiac disease and celiac disease autoimmunity (the presence of antibodies in the blood) among genetically predisposed children, stated new research.

It remains unclear whether the amount of gluten consumed can trigger celiac disease. This observational study included 6,605 children born between 2004 and 2010 in Finland, Germany, Sweden and the United States who had a genetic predisposition for celiac disease.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is labeled as a digestive disorder associated with malabsorption as well as an abnormal immune reaction to gluten.

‘In children, for every 1-gram per day increase in gluten consumption there was an associated higher risk of celiac disease and celiac disease autoimmunity. ’

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Gluten intake was estimated from food records collected at ages 6, 9, and 12 months and then biannually until the age of 5. Of the 6,605 children, 18% developed celiac disease autoimmunity and 7% developed celiac disease. The incidence of both outcomes peaked at 2 to 3 years old.

If gluten intake was one gram per day higher than the average at age 2 (corresponding to a half slice of white bread), the absolute risk differences for celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease were 6% and 7% higher, respectively, by age 3.

Quiz on Celiac Disease

Reactions to specific types of food are quite common. Many children suffer from milk and egg allergy. Celiac disease is one such condition, caused due to intake of specific foods in sensitive individuals. Test your knowledge on celiac disease by taking this quiz.

A limitation of the study is the uncertainty of the accuracy of the reported gluten intake. The authors suggest a randomized clinical trial be done of different amounts of gluten during early childhood in genetically at-risk children.

Authors: Daniel Agardh, M.D., Ph.D., Lund University, Malmo, Sweden and coauthors

(doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10329)

Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Source: Eurekalert

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Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an auto-immune digestive disorder which affects the small intestine

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