Does Gluten-Free Diet Protect Children with Celiac Disease from Low Bone Density?

Objective: We aimed to assess the effect and duration of gluten-free diet on bone health in children with celiac disease in our study. Methods: Sixty three patients with celiac disease (CD) formed the study group. They were divided into two subgroups according to their dietary compliance. Bone mineral density (BMD) values of the patients at two and five years of gluten-free diet (GFD) were determined. Findings : The relationship between BMD and compliance to GFD was found to be statistically significant (P<0.01). BMD z-scores were increased (0.12±0.15 and 0.10±0.14 units respectively) (P<0.01). The patients in group 1 and 2 had mean -1.18±0.83 and -2.06±0.73 z-scores in the first DXA. In the second DXA, these values were -1.10±0.73 and-1.94±0.93 respectively. Conclusion: Dietary compliance is important for bone health, and the time needed to normalize the BMD is not known. Patients with positive anti-endomysium antibody (EMA), poor dietary history and history of bone pain should be evaluated with DXA during follow-up.