Understanding the Connection Between Celiac Disease and Childhood Infections

The explanation of celiac disease is actually quite straightforward; it is an intestinal disease characterized by an autoimmune reaction to gluten. Specific food items, most notably wheat, have a lot of gluten in them. When gluten comes in contact with the upper layer of the intestine, it results in an inflammatory response which leads to the destruction of villi in the intestine. This then causes symptoms related to gastric disturbances like diarrhea, bloating, and malnutrition.

Unfolding the link between environment and celiac disease

But things are not that straightforward when it comes to understanding the causes of celiac disease. For long, the theory that it is a familial disease (genetic) has done well. But with the improvement in genetic screening, medical researchers and scientists have come to know that almost 40-50% of the population carries the genes that makes them susceptible to the disease, whereas the prevalence of this condition is below one percent.

Moreover, several autoimmune conditions including celiac disease have seen a gradual rise in prevalence over the last hundred years. Such a surge cannot be explained just based on genetics as researchers now fully understand that genes have not changed that much as the environment during the last century or so.

This then started the venture of finding the culprit in the environment. Some suggest that the rise could be due to changes in food products, after all, certain kinds of food and wheat that is in the market today are quite different from what has been consumed for the past centuries. Another possible trigger could be the toxins in the polluted environment, as today many breathe in air and eat food that have many chemical pollutants.

During the last few decades, many researchers have tried to identify a link between celiac disease and breastfeeding habits, and even an early introduction of gluten in children's diet. There is no doubt about the benefits of breastfeeding, but studies have failed to provide substantial evidence demonstrating a link between celiac disease and early discontinuation of breastfeeding. Studies have also shown a weak relationship between the development of celiac disease and the early introduction of gluten in a child's diet. Those that are in higher risk usually have a family history of celiac disease. A later introduction of gluten in their diet may also delay the onset of disease(1).

Another thing that is well known to modify a person's immune responses are infectious agents, which are microbes. But things are not that easy to understand, as both the upsurge in infections and decline in infections may immune responses differently. During the last decade or so, some infections have become more common, while others have disappeared altogether. Moreover, nowadays all people who are vaccinated at a young age, which can change immune responses. Naturally, in recent years, there has been increasing interest in the link between celiac disease and childhood infections.