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Gluten Sensitivity among Egyptian Infants with Congenital Heart Disease
Inas R El-Alameey1, Hanaa H Ahmed2, Sawsan M Tawfik1
1Child Health Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
Insights
Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) and gastrointestinal issues show higher antigliadin antibodies, indicating a link to malnutrition. Early gluten introduction may exacerbate these symptoms in vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently observed in infants diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Malnutrition is a significant concern in infants with CHD, often accompanied by digestive problems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess age-dependent serum levels of antigliadin antibodies in malnourished Egyptian infants with CHD and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- To investigate the relationship between antigliadin antibodies and malnutrition in infants with congenital heart disease.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 60 infants with CHD, divided into cyanotic and acyanotic groups (30 each).
- Comparison with 30 age, sex, and social class-matched healthy infants.
- Serum antigliadin antibodies were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Infants with CHD exhibited significantly higher serum antigliadin antibody levels compared to controls (P < 0.000).
- The mean age for introducing cereals and the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms was six months.
- Factors such as age of onset of GI symptoms, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and distension were significantly associated with elevated antigliadin antibodies in malnourished CHD infants.
Conclusions:
- Serum IgA, IgM, and IgG antigliadin antibodies are implicated in the pathogenesis of malnutrition in infants with CHD.
- Delayed introduction of gluten-containing foods beyond six months is recommended for infants with CHD to mitigate malnutrition risks.
Background:
Gastrointestinal symptoms are a common feature in infants with congenital heart disease.
Aim:
This study was designed to evaluate age-dependent serum levels of antigliadin antibodies among malnourished Egyptian infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Subjects And Methods:
This case-control study conducted on 60 infants with established congenital heart disease. They were subdivided into cyanotic and acyanotic groups, and each group includes 30 patients compared with thirty apparently healthy infants of matched age, sex, and social class. Serum antigliadin antibodies levels were measured using ELISA.
Results:
The mean age of introduction of cereals in the diet and appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms were six months. On comparison with controls, patients showed highly significant higher serum levels of antigliadin antibodies (P < 0.000). On analysing risk factors using odds ratio, the age at onset of GIT symptoms, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and distension had been found to be significantly associated with high serum antigliadin antibodies among malnourished CHD infants with a prediction of 95%.
Conclusion:
Serum IgA, IgM, and IgG class antibodies to gliadin play a significant role in the pathogenesis of malnutrition in infants with CHD. Gluten containing foods should never be introduced before the end of the six months.
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