title: Serological screening for Celiac Disease in 382 pre-schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent investigations suggest a possible common genetic background between Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Celiac Disease (CD). However, studies regarding this association are scarce and often limited by the small sample sizes and/or large heterogeneity among ASD groups in terms of demographic and clinical features. The present study aims to investigate the overall CD prevalence (biopsy proven-CD patients plus screening detected tTG and EMA positive cases) in a large population of pre-schoolers with ASD referred to a tertiary care University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively collected data about 382 children (mean age: 46.97 ± 13.55 months; age-range: 18-72 months) consecutively diagnosed as ASD (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition criteria) over the period 2010-2013, and who performed a serological CD screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall CD prevalence was 2.62%, which is statistically significant higher to that reported in the Italian paediatric population (p = 0.0246). Half of these children had no symptoms or risk factors related to CD when they performed the serological screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If replicated, these data suggest the importance of regular screening for CD in young patients with ASD, and are of relevance for clinical and public health.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy. sara.calderoni@fsm.unipi.it.|Stella Maris Mediterraneo Foundation, Chiaromonte, (PZ), Italy. sara.calderoni@fsm.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calderoni
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santocchi
authors.affiliation: ODFlab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Via Matteo del Ben, 5/B, 38068, Rovereto (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Del Bianco
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brunori
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caponi
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paolicchi
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fulceri
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prosperi
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.|Stella Maris Mediterraneo Foundation, Chiaromonte, (PZ), Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narzisi
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cosenza
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tancredi
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, Pisa, 56018, Calambrone, Italy.|Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muratori
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autoimmune disease; Celiac Disease; Epidemiology; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Pre-schoolers; Screening; Young children