A prevalence study of celiac disease in persons with Down syndrome residing in the United States of America

In order to estimate the prevalence of celiac disease in persons with Down syndrome, 105 patients with this chromosomal disorder residing on the East Coast of the United States of America were enrolled in this study. IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA) were determined using a fluorescent immuno enzymatic assay, and antiendomysium antibodies (AEA) were measured with imm unofluorescence on monkey oesophagus. Of the 105 patients, 5 were positive for AEA, 4 were positive for IgG AGA, and 1 was positive for IgG ACA and AE A. Of the five patients with high titres of AEA, four consented to a jejuna l biopsy, which revealed significant villous atrophy. Thus, 4 (possibly 5) patients in this cohort of 105 individuals with Down syndrome have celiac d isease.