Maternal celiac disease: improbable risk factor for neural tube defect

Objectives To verify the existence of possible relation between maternal celiac disease (CD) and the appearance of neural tube defects (NTD) in the newborn serological testing in 208 mothers with NTD-affected pregnancy were performed. Methods All sera were tested for total serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and for IgA class endomysial antibody using indirect immunofluorescence technique. Participant age ranged from 19 to 43 years (mean: 33 years). None had been previously investigated for or had a family history of CD. Results Immunoglobulin levels were normal and results of the IgA-endomysial antibody tests were negative in all women tested. Conclusion This study, although nonconclusive, did not corroborate earlier findings described in the literature of increased frequency of CD in mothers with a history of NTD-affected pregnancy. At this moment we feel that a routine screening for CD in pregnant women to avoid a possible pregnancy aggravated by NTD would not be justifiable. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 21:805-808 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.