Fetal and neonatal outcome in celiac disease

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by an abnormal immune response in susceptible individuals to dietary gluten derived from wheat, rye and barley. The disease affects not only the small bowel mucosa, but also many other extraintestinal organs resulting bone, liver, neurologic, skin and reproductive system disorders. The details of the pathogenic mechanism are not perfectly clear yet, but it is now proved that both humoral and cellular immune responses are triggered and autoimmune mechanisms are implicated. Studies have shown association of different pregnancy outcomes with maternal celiac disease. In this review, the most frequent fetal and neonatal outcome related to CD are presented, with a special focus on intrautherine growth restriction (IUGR) and prematurity. The need of active case finding of CD is discussed.