Prevalence of IgE-Mediated Food Hypersensitivity to Cereals and Beans Based on Skin Prick Test in Children with Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a non-IgE mediated food allergy, which can cause extensive villus atrophy. Because of increased food allergen absorption, there are elevated IgA and IgG antibodies in these patients, so there is a concern about IgE antibody production against wheat and other cereals.

In this study, we evaluated IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to wheat, rice, and other cereals in children with celiac disease.

22 patients (50%) had at least one positive skin prick test to food allergens. The most frequent food allergen was peanut (31.8%), followed by wheat (18.2%), corn (9.1%), and rice (4.5%). The results revealed no significant correlation between age, sex, and the results of the skin prick test (p >0.05). The correlation between diagnosis time of celiac disease and results of skin prick test was also not significant statistically (p >0.05).

Because of the high prevalence of IgE mediated hypersensitivity to cereals and beans in children with celiac disease, a skin prick test might be considered in these patients, especially in refractory cases.