Is There a Preferred Time to Introduce Gluten in Infants at Risk for Celiac Disease?

Two studies find that timing of postnatal introduction of gluten did not alter the risk for developing celiac disease.

Controversy exists concerning when to introduce gluten-containing foods in infants at risk for celiac disease, although a preferred time of between 4 and 6 months of age has been proposed. In two multicenter, randomized studies of children with a first-degree relative with celiac disease, investigators assessed the association between timing of gluten feeds and risk for celiac disease.

In the first study, Vriezinga and colleagues introduced gluten to 944 infants between ages 16 and 24 weeks who were positive for HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 and assessed biopsy-proven celiac disease at age 3 years. Development of celiac disease was similar in children given gluten and in those given placebo (5.9% and 4.5%). Development of antitransglutaminase and antig…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Is There a Preferred Time to Introduce Gluten in Infants at Risk for Celiac Disease?

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Reviewing Author