Number of kids affected by wheat intolerance under-estimated
According to a study carried out by Bristol University (UK), 1% of children could have coeliac disease. Only one-in-2,500 is being treated (currently). They have an intolerance to gluten (which is found in wheat and many cereals).
The study looked at 5,470 seven-year-old children (British Medical Journal).
According to the researchers, many of the children who have this disorder do not show the obvious symptoms. Although coeliac disease is triggered in childhood (usually), symptoms may not appear until later in life.
Those with coelic disease are oversensitive to gluten (the lining of the small intestine is oversensitive). The gut becomes inflamed and the body is less able to absorb adequate nutrition from food.
People can become tired, anaemic, lose weight and have diarrhoea.
Dr. Polly Bingley (lead researcher) analysed blood samples (from the kids). The researchers were looking for antibodies (markers of the disease).
54 kids tested positive for the antibodies. However, only four were known to have gluten intolerance.
Girls were twice as likely to be intolerant of gluten than boys.
These kids had mild gastrointestinal symptoms (and some had none).
They found that the kids with this intolerance were shorter than other kids (1 inch/2.7cm shorter). They also weighed 1kg less (2.2lbs).
Dr. Bingley said 'This equates to about nine months' growth and weight gain in an average child around this age.'
We do not know whether this stunted growth is due (directly) to coeliac disease.
This could all start in the womb. Babies born with this disorder tend to be smaller than babies without it.
Dr Bingley said 'We have found that the frequency of coeliac disease at age seven is the same as that we find in adults in this country, suggesting that the condition starts in childhood, even in individuals in whom it is diagnosed late in life.
'They don't suddenly develop coeliac disease - they've probably had it for years before it is eventually detected.'
The researchers hope the study will lead to new studies into possible causes of the disease, looking at infant foods and influences on the baby in the womb.
It could also pave the way for new treatments or prevention of the disease.
Numãrul de copii afectaþi de grâu intoleranþã sub-estimat - Number of kids affected by wheat intolerance under-estimated - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate