Early Introduction of Gluten to Children can Prevent Celiac Disease

High doses of gluten when introduced to infants from four months of age could prevent them from developing celiac disease, according to a new study.

The research study is published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease which is caused when the body's immune system attacks its tissues due to the consumption of gluten.

‘No cases of celiac disease was reported in children who were introduced to gluten at 4 months of age. However, 1.4% of the children had celiac disease when gluten was introduced at 6 months of age. Further research is needed to explore the role of early introduction of gluten in the prevention of celiac disease.’

Currently, there are no prevention strategies for celiac disease. The treatment involves long-term exclusion of gluten from the diet.

The lining of the gut can be damaged even if people with celiac disease consume a minimal amount of gluten. It would prevent proper absorption of food and result in symptoms including bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and tiredness.

The study investigated the effects of gluten in infants, along with breastfeeding, from the age of four months. The results of the study were compared to infants who avoided allergenic foods and consumed only breast milk until the age of six months as per UK government guidelines.

Infants in the intervention study were given 4g of wheat protein as two wheat-based cereal biscuits like Weetabix, in a week from four months of age.

1004 children were tested for antitransglutanimase antibodies at the age of three. Antitransglutanimase is an indicator of celiac disease.

The children with higher antibody levels were referred for further testing by a specialist.

The researchers found that the prevalence of the celiac disease in children who delayed gluten introduction until 6 months of age were higher than expected (1.4% of 516 children). However, there were no cases of celiac disease in 488 children who were introduced to gluten at 4 months of age.

"This is the first study that provides evidence that early introduction of significant amounts of wheat into a baby's diet before six months of age may prevent the development of the celiac disease. This strategy may also have implications for other autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes," said lead author Professor Gideon Lack.

"Early introduction of gluten and its role in the prevention of celiac disease should be explored further, using the results of the EAT Study as the basis for larger clinical trials to definitively answer this question," said Dr. Kirsty Logan.

Source: Medindia