P0435 CELIAC DISEASE, PRETERM AND SMALL FOR DATE BABY: IS THERE AN INCREASED RISK?

Abstract

Introduction: Untreated celiac disease may adversely affect the reproductive system at different ages. Whether unrecognised celiac disease is a risk factor of preterm delivery is still uncompletely recognised. The role of paternal celiac disease is even more controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in both parents of preterm or small for date newborns. Methods: Since May 2003 we consecutively enrolled 380 parents of preterm (<37° week)or small for date (<10°) babies born in 13 different neonatal centers (PremaCel Group) of Nord Italy. Total serum IgA (Roche Diagnostics, Milano) and human transglutaminase (Eu-tTG IgA, Eurospital, Trieste)were measured in all subjects. We considered as pathological values <4 mg/dl and >7 UA/ml, respectively. No exclusion criteria of enrollment was applied. Results: Two parents (1 father and 1 mother) showed pathological transglutaminase; another parent present serum IgA deficiency. The prevalence of celiac disease in our population was 1:190, similar to general adult Italian population. The compliance to the study was 98.8% of parents. Conclusion: Our preliminary data do not show an increased prevalence of celiac disease in parents of preterm or small for date newborns compared to reported Italian population.