Early Gluten Intake Increases Celiac Disease Risk for Some Children

Article by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal endoscopist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Eating gluten before age 5 may increase the risk of celiac disease in children or developing gluten intolerance if they have the HLA genotype. As for healthy children, who do not have the HLA genotype, there is no need to avoid gluten-containing foods.

Researchers studied 450 genotype-specific children for the first 5 years of their lives, recording each child's gluten intake during that time. They found that children with higher gluten intake during that period had a 6.1 percent increased risk of developing an immune reaction to gluten. Children who ate more than the usual amount of gluten had a 7.2% increased risk of developing celiac disease. The results of the study do not apply to children in general, only those with the HLA genotype.

Children who eat a lot of gluten in their early years may have an increased risk of developing celiac disease, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA.
Swedish researchers followed 6,605 children from birth to 5 years old. They recorded each child's gluten intake over a 3-day period every few months during these early years.
At the end of the observation period, the researchers found that children who ate higher amounts of gluten were more likely to develop the autoimmune disease celiac disease (the presence of antibodies in the blood indicates possible celiac disease). develope).
Children with higher gluten intake during that period had a 6.1% increased risk of developing an immune reaction to gluten. In addition, eating more than the usual amount of gluten was also associated with a 7.2% increased risk of developing celiac disease in children. For each gram of gluten ingested per day, the risk of developing the condition increases.
During the study period from 2004 to 2010, 1,216 children or about 20% of study participants developed autoimmune celiac disease. About 7% (or 450 children) develop celiac disease. Most diagnoses come between ages 2 and 3.

Children with a predisposition to developing celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are all genotypes associated with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, so they are more likely to develop celiac disease than the general population. Eating more gluten can trigger antibodies to form. The study did not look at people with no genotype.
For that reason, the results of the study may be slightly more dramatic than likely to occur in a group that does not include all predisposed individuals.
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It helps form the "glue" that holds these foods together and is an essential ingredient in many high-carbohydrate foods like pasta, bread, and cakes.
People who are sensitive to protein often cannot eat these foods because they will experience cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances.
On the other hand, Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. In people with celiac disease, the body attacks and damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time, that can prevent nutrient absorption.

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity has no cure. However, most painful and uncomfortable symptoms can be avoided if children avoid gluten-containing foods.
While the results of recent research may suggest that exposure to gluten can lead to the development of gluten-related conditions, the results may not apply to all children, because this study was done with children who have specific genes for celiac disease.
Therefore, for healthy children without HLA genotypes, there is no reason to avoid gluten-containing foods.
In a nutshell, when your child starts eating solid foods, talk to your pediatrician. Your doctor may recommend that your child be tested for genotypes associated with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes if there is a family history of either condition.
If the results suggest that your child is predisposed to the disease, you can consult with your doctor to develop a dietary plan to help your child avoid stomach upset and possibly miss the diagnosis in the future.

References:
Healthline. Eating-gluten-early-in-life-tied-to-childrens-higher-risk-of-celiac-disease