Estimation of serum beta-2-microglobulin in children with malabsorption disorders syndrome

The aim of this study was to examine serum levels of beta-2-microglobulin (b-2-m) in 132 children at various stages for the evaluation of celiac disease (CD). Serum b-2-m was analyzed by a radio immunoassay (RIA) method, using a beta-2-micro RIA kit (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). The mean concentration of b-2-m in children with an established diagnosis of CD was 4.38 +/- 1.86 mg/l. In children receiving a gluten-free diet, the mean b-2-m concentration was 1.95 +/- 1.09 mg/l, and in children who received a gluten-containing diet, the concentration was 3.19 +/- 0.71 mg/l. In children with CD who were on a gluten-free diet and who presented no antibodies against EmA in class IgA serum, b-2-m concentration was within the normal range (1.86 +/- 0.55 mg/l). The concentration of b-2-m in children with secondary malabsorption syndrome was within the physiological range (1.77 +/- 0.64 mg/l). In children with IgA-EmA antibodies present in serum, the b-2-m concentration was significantly higher (3.5 +/- 1.23 mg/l; P < 0.001) than that in children with IgA-EmA in serum. We showed a linear dependence between the degree of villous atrophy in CD and concentrations of b-2-m in serum (r2 = 0.94). Determination of b-2-m concentration in sera of children with CD may be used to monitor treatment with a gluten-free diet and to differentiate secondary malabsorption syndrome from CD.