Related Experiment Videos
Serum lipids in celiac children
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Italy.
Insights
Untreated celiac children show lower HDL cholesterol and higher triglycerides compared to IBS controls. A gluten-free diet improves HDL cholesterol in celiac children, with notable lipid changes in younger patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.
- Altered plasma lipid profiles are observed in celiac disease.
- Understanding lipid changes in pediatric celiac disease is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma lipid levels in children with celiac disease.
- To compare lipid profiles between celiac children and those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- To assess the impact of a gluten-free diet on lipid levels in pediatric celiac disease.
Main Methods:
- Plasma lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) were measured.
- Study included 45 celiac children under 3 and 49 over 3 years of age.
- Comparison groups included age- and gender-matched IBS patients.
Main Results:
- Untreated celiac children had significantly lower total and HDL cholesterol and higher triglycerides than IBS controls.
- HDL cholesterol levels significantly increased in both age groups after a gluten-free diet.
- Younger celiac children showed increased total and LDL cholesterol and decreased triglycerides post-diet.
Conclusions:
- Plasma lipid abnormalities are present in untreated pediatric celiac disease.
- A gluten-free diet positively impacts lipid profiles, particularly HDL cholesterol.
- Lipid profile changes may aid in celiac disease diagnosis and highlight the importance of dietary adherence.
Abstract:
The plasma lipid levels were investigated in 45 celiac children under 3 years of age and 49 over this age at diagnosis (untreated groups), after gluten-free diet and in comparison with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) groups matched for size, gender, and age. Total and HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower and triglycerides higher in celiac untreated children than in IBS control children in both age groups. HDL cholesterol significantly increased in both age groups after some months of gluten-free diet. Total and LDL cholesterol significantly increased and triglycerides decreased in the younger group of subjects after the period of gluten-free diet. These results may be useful for diagnostic purposes and to motivate a strict gluten-free diet in celiac children.