Immunogloboulin E-Mediated Food Sensitization in Children with Celiac Disease: A Single-Center Experience

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten proteins and is often characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms. Food allergy (FA) is an adverse immune sensitivity to ingested food proteins leading to inflammation in various organs including the gastrointestinal tract. The relationship between CD and FA remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food sensitization in children with CD.

Fifty-nine children diagnosed with CD were reviewed for clinical symptoms and evidence of IgE-sensitization to food and airborne allergens using the PolyCheck method.

IgE-mediated sensitization has been diagnosed in 20.3% of children with CD (CD/ A). In the CD/A group, 58.3% of children were sensitized to food and 66.7% to airborne allergens. Further, 41.7% of patients with CD and allergy reported gastrointestinal tract symptoms associated with the ingestion of sensitizing foods. Analysis of the clinical status revealed that the incidence of other allergic disorders in the CD/A group was as follows: atopic dermatitis (33.3%), asthma (25.0%), and allergic rhinitis (16.7%). The percentage of eosinophils was significantly higher in the CD/A group than in the CD group (0.33±0.25 vs. 0.11±0.09; p=0.006).

The diagnosis of CD does not exclude FA. The gastrointestinal symptoms in children with CD may be the result of both CD and FA; therefore, children with CD should be evaluated for the presence of FA regardless of age.