Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body is highly sensitive to gluten found in all forms of wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Once thought a rare disease, it is now known to affect one in approximately 150 Americans. Reactions to gluten can be dramatic, e.g., diarrhea and intense cramping, while others, such as inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract, may be hidden until much damage is done.

     Now researchers in India report that women with latent celiac disease may be at risk of reproductive problems. Dr. Ashok Kumar, of Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, says, "Women having unexplained infertility, recurrent abortions, stillbirths or intrauterine growth retardation could have subclinical celiac disease, which can be detected by serological screening tests." [Editor's note: In reproductive problems it is may also be advisable to check for thyroid and antiphospholipid antibody disorders, especially in cases of spontaeous abortions (miscarriages).]

     Dr. Kumar and colleagues point out that there are very few studies regarding the effect of latent celiac disease on reproductive performance. Their study involved 893 women. Of these, 104 had had idiopathic recurrent abortion, 104 had unexplained stillbirth, 230 had unexplained infertility, and 150 were pregnant and had idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction. The remaining 305 women, with normal obstetric histories, acted as controls.

     Compared to controls, latent celiac disease was 5.43 times more likely to occur in the recurrent spontaneous abortion group, 4.61 times greater in the stillbirth group, 7.75 times greater in the intrauterine growth restriction group, and 4.51 times more prevalent in those with unexplained infertility. Rates of preterm births, low birthweight infants, and caesarean births were higher in seropositive than in seronegative subjects.

     Dr. Kumar concludes, "Serology for celiac disease should be included in the workup of idiopathic cases of poor reproductive performance." Risks may be reduced when the disease is recognized and treated with a gluten free diet.

--Source: Excerpted from "Latent Celiac Disease Tied to Reproductive Performance," David Douglas, Reuters Health Information, November 24, 2010