Prevalence of IgA-antigliadin antibodies and IgA-antiendomysium antibodies related to celiac disease in children with Down syndrome

Objective. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of celiac disease in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Material and Methods. Forty-three children and adolescents with Down syndrome were screened for IgA-antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and IgA-antiendomysium antibodies (EMA). Patients found to be either AGA-or EMA-positive were investigated further with intestinal biopsy. Results. None of the 43 patients had known celiac disease at entry into the study; 37% (16/43) were found to have AGA levels above normal, and 16% (7/43) to be EMA-positive. Of the 15 patients who underwent biopsy, 8 manifested villous atrophy. Villous atrophy was present in all 7 of the EMA-positive patients, whereas the villi were normal in 7 of the 13 AGA-positive patients who underwent biopsy. Conclusions. EMA is a good immunologic marker for use in screening for celiac disease, and screening is justified in patients with Down syndrome.