Does gluten-free diet protect children with celiac disease from low bone density?

ABSTRACT

We aimed to assess the effect and duration of gluten-free diet on bone health in children with celiac disease in our study. Sixty three patients with celiac disease [CD] formed the study group. They were divided into two subgroups according to their dietary compliance. Bone mineral density [BMD] values of the patients at two and five years of gluten-free diet [GFD] were determined. The relationship between BMD and compliance to GFD was found to be statistically significant [P<0.01]. BMD z-scores were increased [0.12 +/- 0.15 and 0.10 +/- 0.14 units respectively] [P<0.01]. The patients in group 1 and 2 had mean -1.18 +/- 0.83 and -2.06 +/- 0.73 z-scores in the first DXA. In the second DXA, these values were -1.10 +/- 0.73 and-1.94 +/- 0.93 respectively. Dietary compliance is important for bone health, and the time needed to normalize the BMD is not known. Patients with positive anti-endomysium antibody [EMA], poor dietary history and history of bone pain should be evaluated with DXA during follow-up