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. 2016 Nov 16;42(1):98.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-016-0308-x.

Serological screening for Celiac Disease in 382 pre-schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sara Calderoni  1   2 , Elisa Santocchi  3 , Teresa Del Bianco  4 , Elena Brunori  3 , Laura Caponi  5 , Aldo Paolicchi  5 , Francesca Fulceri  3 , Margherita Prosperi  3 , Antonio Narzisi  3   6 , Angela Cosenza  3 , Raffaella Tancredi  3 , Filippo Muratori  3   7
Affiliations

Serological screening for Celiac Disease in 382 pre-schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sara Calderoni et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Recent investigations suggest a possible common genetic background between Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Celiac Disease (CD). However, studies regarding this association are scarce and often limited by the small sample sizes and/or large heterogeneity among ASD groups in terms of demographic and clinical features. The present study aims to investigate the overall CD prevalence (biopsy proven-CD patients plus screening detected tTG and EMA positive cases) in a large population of pre-schoolers with ASD referred to a tertiary care University Hospital.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data about 382 children (mean age: 46.97 ± 13.55 months; age-range: 18-72 months) consecutively diagnosed as ASD (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition criteria) over the period 2010-2013, and who performed a serological CD screening.

Results: The overall CD prevalence was 2.62%, which is statistically significant higher to that reported in the Italian paediatric population (p = 0.0246). Half of these children had no symptoms or risk factors related to CD when they performed the serological screening.

Conclusions: If replicated, these data suggest the importance of regular screening for CD in young patients with ASD, and are of relevance for clinical and public health.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autoimmune disease; Celiac Disease; Epidemiology; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Pre-schoolers; Screening; Young children.

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