Original scientific paper
Influence of Early Feeding Practices on Celiac Disease in Infants
Nedeljko P. Radlović
; Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University Children’s Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
Marija M. Mladenović
; Pediatric Department, Health Center, Valjevo, Serbia
Zoran M. Leković
; Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University Children’s Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
Zorica M. Stojšić
; Institute of Pathology, University Medical School, Belgrade, Serbia
Vladimir N. Radlović
; Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University Children’s Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
Abstract
Aim To investigate whether duration of breastfeeding and
timing of gluten introduction influence the age at diagnosis
and severity of celiac disease.
Methods Medical records of 89 infants (59 girls and 30
boys; mean age of 14.2 months, standard deviation 4.80)
diagnosed with classic celiac disease at the University Children’s
Hospital in Belgrade from 2000 to 2008 were retrospectively
analyzed to determine the duration of breastfeeding
and timing of gluten introduction. The severity of
celiac disease was assessed based on weight loss, longitudinal
growth retardation, anemia, and secondary lactose
intolerance.
Results Longer breastfeeding significantly reduced the
risk that celiac disease would manifest in the first year of
life (odds ratio, 0.655; 95% confidence interval, 0.481-0.891;
P = 0.007), and duration of breastfeeding was the most significant
predictor of developing celiac disease (B = 0.49;
95% confidence interval, 0.131-0.768; P = 0.007). There were
no significant differences in age at diagnosis between infants
who had started consuming gluten before the fourth
month and those who had started between the fourth and
sixth month. Neither breastfeeding nor timing of gluten introduction
affected the severity of the disease.
Conclusion Longer breastfeeding and continuation of
breastfeeding after gluten introduction delay the onset of
classic celiac disease. On the other hand, neither breastfeeding
nor the timing of gluten introduction affects the
severity of celiac disease.
Keywords
celiac disease; infants; breastfeeding; gluten introduction
Hrčak ID:
63518
URI
Publication date:
15.10.2010.
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