The effects of gluten-free diet on body weight in children with celiac disease.

This study was aimed at monitoring and controlling of body weight in children with diagnosis of celiac disease when established and after introducing gluten-free diet. Prospective clinical study included 42 children with celiac disease whose body weight was measured before introducing gluten-free diet, and after the period of six and 18 months of introducing gluten-free diet. The children were divided into three age groups. The first group consisted of 16 children, 8 females and 8 males in the age from 6 to 18 months, the second group consisted of 14 children, 8 females and 6 males ranging from the age of 20 to 111 months and the third group consisted of 12 children, 6 females and 6 males ranging from the age of 115 to 204 months. The measured body weight was compared with the centile tables of children of the same age. After introducing gluten-free diet the body weight was significantly higher at first, especially at the second control examination in comparison to the centile table of children of the same age and gender When comparing the results at the time of establishing the diagnosis and at the first and second control examination of the body weight of children the results showed no difference concerning gender and the age of children. In conclusion it can be said that is very important to diagnose celiac disease as soon as possible because the introduction of gluten-free diet prevents the pathological conditions mucosal lesion of small intestine and the physical retardation of children.