The Role of Gluten-Free Diet in Rebalancing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Children With Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is one of the most common reasons for malnutrition. This study aimed to determine the status of the micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals in children with CD.

The participants of this study included children <18 years old newly diagnosed with CD from January 2016 to December 2017 in the Clinic of Gastrointestinal and Digestive Diseases affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The diagnosis of CD was based on serological and pathologic findings. Finally, the data was analyzed using SPSS 22.

In the present study, 78 children with CD were evaluated, including 30 (38.5%) males and 48 (61.5%) females. The levels of hemoglobin and iron significantly improved after 6 months of treatment (P = 0.001). In the present study, the level of calcium was below the normal range in 5 (6.4%) patients at diagnosis. However, its level was within a normal range in all patients 6 months after the treatment. Based on the results, the level of phosphorus was low in 24 (30.7%) and 5 (6.4%) patients before and after the treatment, respectively (P = 0.001). Further, the vitamin D level was below a normal range in 66 (84.6%) and 15 (19.2%) patients at diagnosis and 6 months after the treatment, respectively (P = 0.001). On the other hand, the mean level of folic acid increased from 16.5 at diagnosis to 22.39 after 6 months of treatment (P = 0.001). Finally, the mean level of zinc also increased from 73.3 at diagnosis to 81.6 after 6 months of treatment (P = 0.001).

In general, the levels of iron, folate, vitamin D, and zinc reduced in patients with CD. In most patients, these deficiencies improved by receiving a gluten-free diet (GFD). Monitoring patients with CD is recommended for the diagnosis of micronutrient deficiencies.