Gluten-free diet changes the lipid profile of children and adolescents with coeliac condition

Introduction: the gluten-free diet is the only treatment for coeliac disease. Gluten-free products contain a higher percentage of carbohydrates and saturated lipids, which can lead to long-term metabolic problems. The aim of this study was to analyse the lipid profile of children and adolescents aged less than 18 years after receiving the diagnosis of coeliac disease and its changes after starting treatment. Material and methods: to this end, we carried out a retrospective observational study of children diagnosed with coeliac disease without other comorbidity and following a strict gluten-free diet. Lipid profiles were collected at disease onset and 1 year and 6 years after initiation of the gluten-free diet and subsequently compared. Results: the sample included 24 paediatric patients, and we observed an increase in total cholesterol levels and a decrease in triglyceride levels, both of which were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: we believe it is important to analyse the nutritional profile of paediatric coeliac patients at the time of diagnosis and during the followup of the gluten-free diet to detect metabolic and/or nutritional problems at an early stage, with the purpose of preventing the development of complications that may manifest as early as childhood.