Lack of Clinical Predictors for Low Mineral Density in Children With Celiac Disease.

Metabolic bone disease remains a significant and common complication of celiac disease (CD). Several studies have demonstrated low bone mineral density (BMD) at the time of CD diagnosis in both children and adults. Low BMD in children and adolescents is defined as an areal BMD (aBMD) less than 2 SD below the age-adjusted mean value (Z-score <-2 SD). The aim was to evaluate the BMD in a pediatric population with CD at the diagnosis and to correlate Z-score value, anti-tissue transglutaminase type 2 antibody (anti-tTG2) titer, symptoms and Marsh-Oberhuber (MO) grading. We enrolled 99 celiac patients (M 35; F 64) aged 4-15 years at the diagnosis. All patients had positive test results for anti-tTG2 antibodies, histological lesions graded according to MO classification and underwent lumbar DXA performed by Lunar Prodigy Advance© (GE Healthcare, WI, USA). Bone mineral density was estimated by Z-score. Low BMD (Z-score ≤-2 DS) was found in 13 (13.13%) patients; 22 (22.22%) patients with CD showed -2< Z-score ≤-1; -1<Z-score<0 was found in 41 (41,41%) patients. Z-score ≥ 0 was detected only in 23 (23.23%) patients with CD. Mean BMD value in patients with CD is Z-score = -0.68. No correlations were found between Z-score value and anti-tTG2 titer (Spearman Rho =0.13), between Z-score value and MO degree (Spearman Rho= -0.17) and between Z-score and symptoms (Spearman Rho= -0.10). BMD of patients with CD at diagnosis does not seem to correlate with Marsh-Oberhuber degree, anti-tTG2 titer and symptoms. At the moment, we don't have clinical predictors for low mineral density in children with celiac disease.