[Gliadin IgA antibodies in diagnosis of celiac disease in childhood].

An enzyme immunoassay kit for the determination of anti-gliadin-IgA antibodies in serum has been evaluated in the diagnosis of coeliac disease in childhood. 84 patients, 22 of them with coeliac disease according to ESPGAN's criteria were tested between 1978 and 1989 and the results have been correlated with the findings on small intestine biopsy and the clinical features. The sensitivity of the test was 95.5% and the specificity was 87.0% on initial diagnosis. On a gluten-free diet reduced antibody levels were seen in all patients. During gluten challenge 11 of 13 children showed an increase in anti-gliadin-IgA concentration. Of the remaining 2 without antibody elevation IgA deficiency became manifest in one patient, the other had a nearly normal mucosa on small intestine biopsy. Provided that IgA deficiency is ruled out and the gluten intake is sufficient the test seems to be useful for screening and might replace biopsy after gluten challenge in cases of increasing antibody levels.