The yield of screening for celiac disease in children with common neurologic disorders was evaluated at Tel Aviv University, Zerifin, Israel. Of 167 patients presenting, ages 1 to 16 years, 41 had migraine headaches, 39 ADHD, 36 epilepsy, and 51 hypotonia and motor abnormalities. IgG antigliadin antibodies were positive in 22 (13%) of patients compared to 3 (9%) in the control group. IgA and endomysial antibodies were negative in all patients, and duodenal biopsies were not performed. Routine screening for celiac disease is not recommended in children presenting wsith common neurologic disorders. [1]
COMMON. Neurologic complications of celiac disease include peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, cerebellar ataxia, myoclonus, cerebral atrophy, cerebral vasculitis, encephalitis, epilepsy, sometimes associated with cerebral calcification. Studies in adults have shown a significant increase in positive titers for antigliadin antibodies in patients (57%) with common neurologic disorders of undetermined etiology. In children, the association of celiac disease with common neurologic disorders is apparently less remarkable. However, in patients with ataxia, myopathy, or seizures of undetermined etiology, a test for antigliadin antibodies should be considered, especially as symptoms may be reversible with a gluten-free diet.