The Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Children With Arterial Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Objective: The association between arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and celiac disease (CD) has been described in only a few cases in adults and children. We aim to determine the prevalence of CD in children and adolescents with AIS.

Study Design: We investigated serum levels of tissue transglutaminase antibody immunoglobulin (Ig) A and total IgA from 76 children with AIS and in a healthy control group of 102 children. Study participants who were positive for tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies underwent a duodenal biopsy.

Results: A total of 2 patients in the AIS group (2.26%) and 2 in the control group (1.96%) had positive serum tissue transglutaminase antibody (P= 0.89; 95% confidence interval, -5.05 to 6.89). Duodenal biopsy confirmed CD in only 1 patient who had AIS.

Conclusions: In the present study, children with acute arterial stroke did not exhibit a higher prevalence rate of CD compared with healthy controls. Therefore, the screening test for CD is not a necessary part of the management of AIS in children. However, cases of recurrent AIS could be examined for CD.