Bone mineral content deficits of the spine and whole body in children at time of diagnosis with celiac disease

Effect of a gluten-free diet on bone mineral density in children and adolescents with celiac disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies suggest an association between a gluten-free diet (GFD) and bone health in celiac disease (CD). However, the evidence on this relationship in children and adolescents is limited. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effect of GFD on the bone health and anthropometric profile of children and adolescents with CD. Five databases were searched up to January, 2022 to identify relevant studies. The studies' methodological quality was evaluated using two scales. The Hedge's g standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using a random-effects model. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. Twenty-eight studies were included in the final review. GFD increased bone mineral content (BMC) (SMD = 0.39; 95%CI = 0.16, 0.62) and bone mineral density (BMD) (SMD = 0.29; 95%CI = 0.10, 0.47) in CD individuals. Difference in mean BMC and BMD between children and adolescents with CD versus healthy individuals was -0.49 (95%CI = -0.76, -0.22) and -0.47 (SMD = -95%CI = -0.72, -0.22), respectively. There was no difference in BMI and body fat among celiac children and adolescents versus healthy controls. In conclusion, GFD was associated with higher BMC and BMD in children and adolescents with CD.

Celiac Disease and Bone Health in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Celiac disease is characterized by deficits in bone mineral accrual and longitudinal growth.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in bone health and stature among children and adolescents with celiac disease versus healthy controls.

DATA SOURCES

Articles published before February 27, 2018 were located using searches of the Physical Education Index (n = 186), PubMed (n = 180), Scopus (n = 3), SPORTDiscus (n = 3), and Web of Science (n = 4).

STUDY SELECTION

Bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and height was measured using a stadiometer.

DATA EXTRACTION

Effect sizes (ES) were calculated as follows: the mean difference of the celiac disease group and healthy control group, divided by the pooled standard deviation. The inverse variance weight was used to calculate the overall mean ES. Random-effects models were used to aggregate a mean ES, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and to identify potential moderators.

RESULTS

The results of 30 effects gathered from 12 studies published between 1996 and 2017 indicated BMC (ES = -0.54, 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.40; p < 0.0001) and aBMD (ES = 0.72, 95% CI: -0.96 to -0.47; p < 0.0001) were lower in youth with celiac disease.

LIMITATIONS

These results were limited to only cross-sectional and baseline data from longitudinal studies reporting BMC and BMD, however did not assess changes in bone health over time.

CONCLUSION

Children and adolescents with celiac disease have suboptimal bone health and shorter stature.

Narrative Review: Nutrient Deficiencies in Adults and Children with Treated and Untreated Celiac Disease

Nutrient deficiencies are well recognized as secondary consequences of celiac disease (CD) and closely related to the clinical presentation of affected patients. Despite their clinical significance, consensus is lacking on the pattern and frequency of nutrient deficiencies in CD, the usefulness of their assessment at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. This review aims to provide an overview of nutrient deficiencies among pediatric and adult CD patients at diagnosis and on a gluten-free diet (GFD), and their potential causes in CD. Secondly, we review their impact on CD management strategies including the potential of nutrient supplementation. A search of Medline, Pubmed and Embase until January 2019 was performed. Despite a high variability between the reported deficiencies, we noted that nutrient deficiencies occur frequently in children and adults with CD at diagnosis and during treatment with a GFD. Both inadequate dietary intake and/or diminished uptake due to intestinal dysfunction contribute to nutrient deficiencies. Most deficiencies can be restored with (long-term) treatment with a GFD and/or supplementation. However, some of them persist while others may become even more prominent during GFD. Our results indicate a lack of comprehensive evidence on the clinical efficacy of nutrient supplementation in CD management highlighting the need for further studies.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Children With Celiac Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Celiac disease can reduce bone mineral density. We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for low areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in children with celiac disease.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 673 children with celiac disease (63% female; median age at diagnosis, 10.6 y; interquartile range, 7.8-13.9) who underwent dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) from 2009 through 2016 at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from medical records. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with low (Z less than -2) lumbar spine aBMD Z (aBMD-Z) scores at initial and subsequent tests.

RESULTS

The time between diagnosis of celiac disease and first DXA was 0 days (interquartile range, -11 to 31 d). The mean aBMD-Z score at the children's initial scan was -0.4 ± 1.2; 46 children had aBMD-Z scores less than -2 (6.8%; 95% CI, 5.2%-9.0%). Those who had a second DXA analysis (n = 108; 16.0%) had a significant increase in aBMD-Z score (mean change, 0.29; P = .0005). Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with lower odds of a low aBMD-Z score at the initial DXA analysis (odds ratio, 0.46, 95% CI, 0.35-0.50). BMI-Z scores greater than -0.4 identified children with a low aBMD-Z at their initial DXA analysis with a 95% negative predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 7% of subjects with celiac disease had a low aBMD-Z score, determined by DXA, at the time of diagnosis; this value was nearly 3-fold higher than expected from a population of children of this age and sex distribution. BMI-Z scores could be used to identify children with celiac disease at risk for low BMD who should receive DXA screening.

Causes of low peak bone mass in women

Peak bone mass is the maximum bone mass that accrues during growth and development. Consolidation of peak bone mass normally occurs during early adulthood. Low peak bone mass results from failure to achieve peak bone mass genetic potential, primarily due to bone loss caused by a variety of conditions or processes occurring at younger ages than usual. Recognized causes of low peak bone mass include genetic causes, endocrine disorders, nutritional disorders, chronic diseases of childhood or adolescence, medications, and idiopathic factors.

Micronutrient Deficiencies in Pediatric Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy that occurs in response to gluten ingestion in predisposed individuals. The autoimmune response results in villous atrophy in the small intestine, the primary site of nutrient absorption. Consequently, micronutrient deficiencies may occur in undiagnosed CD. Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, iron, folate, vitamin B12, and zinc have all been demonstrated in children with CD. Complications as a result of these nutrient deficiencies may affect a child’s growth, development, and overall well-being. The gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only known treatment for CD. Compliance with the diet is vital in correcting and preventing future micronutrient deficiencies. The purpose of this article is to give a background on CD and to present research that has shown micronutrient deficiencies in the pediatric population. The article will also focus on the crucial role of the health care team in both the recognition and management of pediatric patients with CD.

Bone mineral density and growth in children with coeliac disease on a gluten free-diet

BACKGROUND/AIM

To evaluate changes in growth and bone metabolism during consumption of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in children with coeliac disease (CD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven children with CD (mean age of 8.8 ± 4.6 years, 21 girls) were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements, bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar 2-4 vertebrae, and serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus levels at diagnosis and at follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 3.5 ± 2.3 years. The BMD of patients was significantly lower than that of control subjects at the time of diagnosis but not after 1 year of the GFD. Incidence of low BMD with respect to z-scores for chronological age (CA) was significantly higher than z-scores for height age (HA) (P = 0.006). At the first year of GFD, BMD, BMD z-score, height-for-age z-scores, and weight-for-age z-scores were significantly increased compared with the baseline, but not after 1 year of the GFD.

CONCLUSION

In CD, the first year of GFD is important in weight gain, linear growth, and improvement of BMD. A considerable relation of low BMD in children with CD, with respect to z-scores for CA, may be a result of misinterpretation of low BMD due to short stature.

Evidence-Informed Expert Recommendations for the Management of Celiac Disease in Children

Although the need for effective long-term follow-up for patients with celiac disease (CD) has been recognized by many expert groups, published practice guidelines have not provided a clear approach for the optimal management of these patients. In an attempt to provide a thoughtful and practical approach for managing these patients, a group of experts in pediatric CD performed a critical review of the available literature in 6 categories associated with CD to develop a set of best practices by using evidence-based data and expert opinion. The 6 categories included the following: bone health, hematologic issues, endocrine problems, liver disease, nutritional issues, and testing. Evidence was assessed by using standardized criteria for evaluating the quality of the data, grade of evidence, and strength of conclusions. Over 600 publications were reviewed, and 172 were chosen for inclusion. The thorough review of the results demonstrated that the quality of the data available was often insufficient to provide unequivocal best practices. However, using the available data and the clinical experience of the panel, a practical framework for the management of children with CD was created. These recommendations were developed by our expert panel and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The potential usefulness of these best practices is underscored by the fact that consensus, measured by the outcome of anonymous voting, was reached by the panel for 24 of the 25 questions. We hope that these best practices may be useful to the pediatric gastroenterology and larger general pediatric communities.

Transition from childhood to adulthood in coeliac disease: the Prague consensus report

The process of transition from childhood to adulthood is characterised by physical, mental and psychosocial development. Data on the transition and transfer of care in adolescents/young adults with coeliac disease (CD) are scarce. In this paper, 17 physicians from 10 countries (Sweden, Italy, the USA, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Britain, Israel and Denmark) and two representatives from patient organisations (Association of European Coeliac Societies and the US Celiac Disease Foundation) examined the literature on transition from childhood to adulthood in CD. Medline (Ovid) and EMBASE were searched between 1900 and September 2015. Evidence in retrieved reports was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation method. The current consensus report aims to help healthcare personnel manage CD in the adolescent and young adult and provide optimal care and transition into adult healthcare for patients with this disease. In adolescence, patients with CD should gradually assume exclusive responsibility for their care, although parental support is still important. Dietary adherence and consequences of non-adherence should be discussed during transition. In most adolescents and young adults, routine small intestinal biopsy is not needed to reconfirm a childhood diagnosis of CD based on European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) or North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) criteria, but a biopsy may be considered where paediatric diagnostic criteria have not been fulfilled, such as, in a patient without biopsy at diagnosis, additional serology (endomysium antibody) has not been performed to confirm 10-fold positivity of tissue transglutaminase antibodies or when a no biopsy strategy has been adopted in an asymptomatic child.

Update on Bone Health in Pediatric Chronic Disease

Children and adolescents with chronic disease are predisposed to impaired bone health. Pediatric illness, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, and cystic fibrosis, have significant risk of low bone mineralization and fracture due to underlying inflammation, malabsorption, lack of physical activity, and delayed puberty. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is the primary imaging method to assess bone health in this population. The purpose of this review is to update readers about the assessment and management of bone health in children with common pediatric chronic illnesses and review recent advances in the prevention and treatment of impaired bone health.

Reduced Bone Mineral Density Is Associated with Celiac Disease Autoimmunity in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between bone mineral density (BMD), glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), and celiac autoimmunity in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and in an appropriate control population.

STUDY DESIGN

BMD was assessed cross-sectionally in 252 children with T1D (123 positive for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody [tTGA] and 129 matched children who were negative for tTGA). In addition, BMD was assessed in 141 children without diabetes who carried T1D-associated HLD-DR, DQ genotypes (71 positive for tTGA and 70 negative).

RESULTS

Children with T1D who were positive for tTGA had significantly worse BMD L1-L4 z-score compared with children with T1D who were negative for tTGA (-0.45 ± 1.22 vs 0.09 ± 1.10, P = .0003). No differences in growth measures, urine N-telopeptides, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, thyroid stimulating hormone, or HbA1c were found. However, both higher HbA1c (β = -1.25 ± 0.85, P = .0016) and tTGA (β = -0.13 ± 0.05, P = .0056) were significant and independent predictors of lower BMD in multivariate analyses. No differences in BMD or other variables measured were found between children without diabetes who were positive vs negative for tTGA.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest a synergistic effect of hyperglycemia and celiac autoimmunity on low BMD.

Celiac Disease Does Not Influence Fracture Risk in Young Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

To examine the risk of any fractures in patients with both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease (CD) vs patients with T1D only.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a population-based cohort study. We defined T1D as individuals aged ≤30 years who had a diagnosis of diabetes recorded in the Swedish National Patient Register between 1964 and 2009. Individuals with CD were identified through biopsy report data between 1969 and 2008 from any of Sweden's 28 pathology departments. Some 958 individuals had both T1D and CD and were matched for sex, age, and calendar period with 4598 reference individuals with T1D only. We then used a stratified Cox regression analysis, where CD was modeled as a time-dependent covariate, to estimate the risk of any fractures and osteoporotic fractures (hip, distal forearm, thoracic and lumbar spine, and proximal humerus) in patients with both T1D and CD compared with that in patients with T1D only.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 12 patients with T1D and CD had a fracture (1 osteoporotic fracture). CD did not influence the risk of any fracture (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.42-1.41) or osteoporotic fractures (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.06-3.51) in patients with T1D. Stratification for time since CD diagnosis did not affect risk estimates.

CONCLUSION

Having a diagnosis of CD does not seem to influence fracture risk in young patients with T1D. Follow-up in this study was, however, too short to ascertain osteoporotic fractures which traditionally occur in old age.

Growth trajectories and bone mineral density in anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody-positive children: the Generation R Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Increased levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) have been associated with reduced weight and bone mineral density (BMD) in symptomatic patients with celiac disease. Little is known about the effects of these antibodies in patients with subclinical or other forms of celiac disease. We examined associations between anti-tTG positivity and growth and BMD.

METHODS

In a population-based prospective cohort study, serum samples were collected from children (median age, 6 years; n = 4442) and analyzed for anti-tTG. All children were born between April 2002 and January 2006 and were not previously diagnosed with celiac disease. Children were categorized as anti-tTG negative (<7 U/mL, n = 4249) or anti-tTG positive (≥7 U/mL, n = 57). Children's levels of anti-tTG were further categorized on the basis of ≥10 times upper limit of normal (70 U/mL). Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) age- and sex-adjusted standard deviation scores (SDS) ([observed value - mean]/SD) were obtained by using Dutch reference growth charts. BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable linear regression and linear mixed models were performed.

RESULTS

Children who tested positive for anti-tTG had reduced growth in weight SDS/year (reduction of 0.05; 95% CI, reductions of 0.09-0.01) and BMI SDS/year (reduction of 0.10; 95% CI, reductions of 0.18-0.01) from 6 months until 6 years, compared with children without anti-tTG; they also tended to have reduced growth in height from 6 months until 6 years (reduction of 0.02 SDS/year; 95% CI, reductions of 0.06-0.02). Children who tested positive for anti-tTG were shorter (0.29 SDS shorter; 95% CI, reductions of 0.55-0.04 SDS), weighed less (0.38 SDS less; 95% CI, reductions of 0.64-0.12), and had lower BMIs (0.26 SDS less; 95% CI, reductions of 0.49-0.03) and BMDs (0.26 SDS less; 95% CI, reductions of 0.45-0.08) at 6 years of age than anti-tTG negative children.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-tTG positive children without gastrointestinal symptoms have lower BMDs and reduced growth trajectories until they are 6 years old. This suggests that subclinical or potential celiac disease can affect BMD and growth.

Lack of clinical predictors for low mineral density in children with celiac disease

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic bone disease remains a significant and common complication of celiac disease (CD). Several studies have demonstrated low bone mineral density (BMD) at the time of CD diagnosis in both children and adults. Low BMD in children and adolescents is defined as an areal BMD <2 SD below the age-adjusted mean value (z score <-2 SD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the BMD in a pediatric population with CD at diagnosis and to correlate z score value, anti-tissue transglutaminase type 2 antibody (anti-tTG2) titer, symptoms, and Marsh-Oberhuber (MO) grading.

METHODS

We enrolled 99 patients with celiac disease (male 35, female 64) ages 4 to 15 years at the diagnosis. All of the patients had positive test results for anti-tTG2 antibodies and histological lesions graded according to MO classification, and underwent lumbar dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. BMD was estimated by z score.

RESULTS

Low BMD (z score ≤-2 SD) was found in 13 (13.13%) patients; 22 (22.22%) patients with CD showed -2 < z score ≤ -1; -1 < z score < 0 was found in 41 (41.41%) patients. z score ≥ 0 was detected only in 23 (23.23%) patients with CD. Mean BMD value in patients with CD is z score -0.68. No correlations were found between z score value and anti-tTG2 titer (Spearman ρ 0.13), between z score value and MO degree (Spearman ρ -0.17), and between z score and symptoms (Spearman ρ-0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

BMD of patients with CD at diagnosis does not seem to correlate with MO degree, anti-tTG2 titer, and symptoms. At the moment, we do not have clinical predictors for low mineral density in children with CD.

Bone mineral density directly correlates with duodenal Marsh stage in newly diagnosed adult celiac patients

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in a prospective series of adult celiac patients and to identify nutritional and metabolic factors associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

METHODS

Patients over 18 years of age who were consecutively and newly diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) were recruited. A bone density scan with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was carried out on the left hip and lumbar spine; nutritional parameters were analyzed and a hormone study conducted in order to exclude secondary low BMD.

RESULTS

40 patients (36 females/4 males) between the ages of 18 and 68 (mean 44.25 years) were recruited. Overall, at the moment of diagnosis 45% of patients exhibited low BMD at both demarcations. Risk of hip fracture was generally low, but ascended to mild in patients with villous atrophy (p = 0.011). Differences in major fracture risk were also observed depending on Marsh stage (p = 0.015). Significant differences were observed in nutritional status between patients with and without duodenal villous atrophy, with body mass index and blood levels of prealbumin, iron, vitamin D and folic acid significantly lower in Marsh III stage patients. No differences were found in blood hormone levels between Marsh stages or BMDs. The degree of bone mass loss in the lumbar spine directly correlated to Marsh stage. In the hip, a parallel association between BMD and Marsh stage was also observed, but did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Duodenal villous atrophy, through malabsorption, was the main determinant factor for low BMD in adult-onset CD patients.