Beneficial effects of gluten free diet on IgA tissue transglutaminase levels and various growth parameters in celiac disease patients

CONTEXT: In the resource poor country like India it is difficult to get HLA screening and EMA testing in patients with celiac disease in small centres. AIMS: To study the effect of gluten free diet on IgA tissue transglutaminase levels and various growth parameters in patients with celiac disease. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective study conducted in the department of paediatrics of a tertiary referral hospital in north India in 3 stages viz. on presentation, after 3 months and 6 months of initial presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 392 patients with symptoms suggestive of celiac disease were screened for IgA tTG levels more than 10 folds of upper limit of normal. 50 cases (who followed up for 6 months regularly) were enrolled in the study. Spectrum of various growth and clinical parameters were also studied. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS version 20.0. Data were checked for normality before statistical analysis. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 50 cases were enrolled in study. After initiation of gluten free diet, improvements were seen in various growth factors like height (12.71%) and weight (3.47 cm) after 6 months. Serum tTG(IgA) levels decreased to 94.88±55.35 U/mL from baseline level of 202±83.96 U/mL after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Gluten free diet has major role in improvement in growth parameters as well as anemia. So, early detection of celiac disease is an important step in prevention of morbidity associated with this chronic disease.