Celiac disease-related antibodies in Italian children with epilepsy

Pediatr Neurol. 2009 Jul;41(1):34-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2009.02.009.

Abstract

Reports differ on the association between epilepsy and celiac disease, an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. In this study, 272 Italian children with epilepsy and 300 healthy children were screened for anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase immunoglobulin A and G; positive and borderline samples were tested for the presence of anti-endomysium antibodies. The prevalence of antibodies related to celiac disease was comparable to that of healthy controls. In keeping with this observation, Italian epileptic children should not be considered a group at risk for celiac disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Celiac Disease / blood
  • Celiac Disease / complications
  • Celiac Disease / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epilepsy / blood
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Epilepsy / immunology*
  • Female
  • Gliadin / blood
  • Gliadin / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Infant
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Transglutaminases / blood
  • Transglutaminases / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Gliadin
  • Transglutaminases