Autism spectrum disorder and celiac disease: no evidence for a link.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible association between celiac disease (CD) and/or gluten sensitivity (GS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).


METHODS
Occurrences of CD were determined in a group of children and adolescents affected by ASD and, conversely, occurrences of ASD were assessed in a group of biopsy-proven celiac patients. To detect the possible existence of GS, the levels of antigliadin antibodies in ASD patients were assessed and compared with the levels in a group of non-celiac children.


RESULTS
The prevalence of CD or GS in ASD patients was not greater than in groups originating from the same geographical area. Similarly the prevalence of ASD was not greater than in a group of biopsy-proven CD patients.


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically demonstrable association was found between CD or GS and ASD. Consequently, routine screening for CD or GS in all patients with ASD is, at this moment, neither justified nor cost-effective.
School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Icaro Camargo
IC
Batista
Lenora
L
Gandolfi
Yanna Karla Medeiros
YK
Nobrega
Rodrigo Coutinho
RC
Almeida
Lucas Malta
LM
Almeida
Dioclécio
D
Campos Junior
Riccardo
R
Pratesi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007070:Immunoglobulin A