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Vitamin B-6 absorption in children with acute celiac disease and in control subjects

The Journal of Nutrition
|October 1, 1978
PubMed

Insights

Children with celiac disease show biochemical vitamin B-6 deficiency, indicated by reduced serum pyridoxal phosphate levels after a pyridoxine load test. This suggests impaired pyridoxine absorption in celiac disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the small intestine.
  • Vitamin B-6 deficiency, specifically low serum pyridoxal phosphate, is a known complication in celiac disease.
  • Understanding the absorption dynamics of vitamin B-6 is crucial for managing nutritional deficiencies in affected children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate vitamin B-6 metabolism in children with acute celiac disease.
  • To compare serum pyridoxal phosphate levels after oral pyridoxine loading in celiac patients versus healthy controls.
  • To explore the relationship between pyridoxine absorption and xylose absorption in celiac disease.

Main Methods:

  • Oral pyridoxine hydrochloride loading test (5 mg/kg body weight).
  • Measurement of serum pyridoxal phosphate concentrations at baseline and various time points (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes).
  • Assessment of blood xylose levels following oral loading.

Main Results:

  • Children with acute celiac disease exhibited significantly lower serum pyridoxal phosphate increases post-loading compared to controls.
  • Peak serum pyridoxal phosphate levels were delayed (60 min) and lower in celiac patients versus controls (30 min).
  • A positive correlation was observed between pyridoxal phosphate increase and blood xylose increase, suggesting malabsorption.

Conclusions:

  • Children with acute celiac disease present with biochemical vitamin B-6 deficiency.
  • Impaired pyridoxine absorption, potentially due to altered intestinal absorption sites, is indicated in childhood celiac disease.
  • Results suggest pyridoxine malabsorption and a shift in absorption from the upper jejunum to distal intestine in celiac disease.

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