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Children with Celiac Disease (CD) are often significantly underweight
and malnourished. To summarize the findings from this study:
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29 children with CD were matched with 23 healthy control children
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At the start of the study, CD children weighed significantly
less than controls
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Fat mass, bone mineral content, and lean muscle mass of the
limbs, were also significantly lower in CD children
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CD children were placed on a gluten-free diet for 1 year
- After 1 year on the diet all body composition values showed
no difference between CD children and controls
According to the authors "Appropriate dietary treatment reverses
body-composition abnormalities quickly and the beneficial effects
of gluten withdrawal are persistent." This study illustrates
the importance of children getting diagnosed promptly and are maintained
on a proper gluten-free diet.
American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000;72: 71-75
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