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Coeliac disease screening among a large cohort of overweight/obese children

Raffaella Nenna1, Antonella Mosca, Maurizio Mennini

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|February 26, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Coeliac disease (CD) is a gluten-dependent enteropathy. This study found CD prevalence in overweight/obese children is similar to the general pediatric population, with weight loss observed after a gluten-free diet.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Nutrition

Background:

  • Coeliac disease (CD) is a chronic, gluten-dependent enteropathy affecting approximately 1% of Western populations.
  • CD is rarely associated with overweight or obesity.
  • Understanding CD prevalence in overweight/obese pediatric populations is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of coeliac disease in a large cohort of overweight and obese children and adolescents.
  • To assess the impact of a gluten-free diet on weight in diagnosed pediatric coeliac disease patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1527 overweight/obese children and adolescents.
  • Serological testing and duodenal biopsy to diagnose coeliac disease.
  • Monitoring weight changes following the initiation of a gluten-free diet.

Main Results:

  • Coeliac disease was diagnosed in 17 out of 1527 (1.11%) overweight/obese children and adolescents.
  • The prevalence of CD in this cohort is comparable to the general pediatric population in Italy.
  • Patients diagnosed with CD experienced rapid weight loss after adopting a gluten-free diet.

Conclusions:

  • Coeliac disease prevalence is similar in overweight/obese children and adolescents compared to the general pediatric population.
  • Early diagnosis and gluten-free diet management are effective for coeliac disease in overweight/obese youth.
  • This finding challenges the traditional association of CD with underweight individuals.

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