Nutrient deficiencies in children with celiac disease during long term follow-up

Celiac disease (CD) is associated with malabsorption and consequential nutritional deficiencies. Patients with CD must follow a gluten-free diet (GFD), which is also associated with nutrient deficiencies. Despite the clinical significance, consensus is lacking on the pattern and frequency of nutrient deficiencies in CD and the usefulness of assessment during follow-up. The aim was to investigate the presence of micronutrient and protein deficiencies in pediatric patients with CD after starting a GFD and receiving standard clinical care, taking disease activity into account.

This single center retrospective chart review aimed to map the occurrence of nutrient deficiencies, determined in serum samples derived during follow-up in an expertise center for pediatric CD. Serological micronutrient levels were determined during routine clinical visits up until 10 years in children with CD on a GFD.

The data of 130 children with CD was included. When pooling the measurements between 3 months and 10 years after GFD initiation, a deficiency in iron, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate and zinc was present in 33%, 21,9%, 21,1%, 2,4%, 4,3% and 8,1% of measurements, respectively. No hypocalcemia or vitamin B6 deficiency was found.

The prevalence of deficiency varies amongst nutrients in children following a GFD, a high prevalence of some nutrient deficiencies is noteworthy. This study highlights the necessity to structurally investigate the risk of developing nutrient deficiencies while following a GFD. Knowledge of the risk to develop deficiencies can contribute to achieving a more evidence based approach in the management and follow-up of CD in children.