785 Small for Gestational Age Newborns (SGA) and Coeliac Disease: A Casecontrol Study

Abstract

A SGA birth could be a symptom of undiagnosed CD in mother. Early diagnosis and treatment may avoid damages (1). Aim: To determine the prevalence of untreated CD among SGA mothers (SgaM). Methods: From September 2007 to October 2009, SgaM (cases) and Nga mothers (NgaM) were enrolled. Exclusion criteria: twin birth, artificial insemination. Blood samples were taken (5 cc) and antihuman IgA and IgG classes antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA and IgG anti-tTg ab) were tested by ELISA commercial kit (Eurospital, Trieste, Italy); total IgA ab were tested. Statistical analysis: Fisher exact test, Odd ratio (OR). Results: 193 SgaM (mean age 31,7 y) and 230 NgaM (mean age 31,1y) were enrolled. SGA newborns were like NGA newborns except for the for the body weight at birth (1977 ± 584,5g vs. 2830 ± 701,6g; p< 0,05). SgaM had an higher risk of spontaneous abortions (OR = 1,2). In studied population we found 3 celiac mothers (0.7%) at gluten free diet (GFD); in 3 /423 (0,7%) woman IgA and IgG antitTg ab were positive:1/193 (0,51 %) was SgaM and 2/230 (0,86 %) were NgaM (p=ns). In the new three cases an intestinal biopsy showed subtotal villous atrophy (Marsh 2) and HLA determination showed DQ2 positivity. Conclusions: Undiagnosed CD doesn't seem more frequent among SGA mothers than in the general population. However, screening for CD during pregnancy could lead to the effective strategies for the prevention of such disease.