Immunoglobulin levels in children with celiac disease: variations with age and diet

Serum immunoglobulins were evaluated in 110 children with celiac disease ranging in age from three months to 15 years. IgG, IgM and IgA were evaluated in all the patients when they were on either a normal or a gluten-free diet and the findings were analyzed by age and type of diet. IgG and IgM levels were generally higher than normal. The type of diet did not affect the results. IgA levels were higher in untreated (normal diet) than in treated (gluten-free diet) celiac patients or normal subjects. The IgA levels returned to normal when the patients were on a gluten-free diet. The variations in immunoglobulin levels among the different age groups of celiac patients reflect the normal variations in serum immunoglobulins with age. It is suggested that the higher IgA levels in untreated celiac disease patients are evidence of chronic stimulation of the B cell immune system and that this could be a factor in the high incidence of lymphoreticular abnormalities and malignant tumors in adults with celiac disease.