EFFECTS OF GLUTEN-FREE DIET ON HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN CHILDREN WITH CELIAC DISEASE

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effects on hematological parameters of the gluten-free diet in celiac disease children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Firstly, children with celiac disease were identified in our clinic. Then, retrospectively, among these patients who were able to perform gluten-free diet correctly were specified. Hematological parameters of these patients were compared during the diagnosis and 6 months after the gluten-free diet. RESULTS: Sixty-seven of 97 children with celiac disease were included in the study. Forty-four patients were female (66.7%), 22 patients were male (33.3%) and the mean age of diagnosis was 7.1 ± 4.2 years. The most common hematologic disorders in patients were thrombocytosis in 38 patients (57.5%) and anemia in 28 patients (42.2%). Twenty-four patients with anemia (36.6%) had iron deficiency anemia, two patients with anemia (3%) had folate deficiency and one patient with anemia (1.5%) had vitamin B12 deficiency. After 6 months of gluten-free diet, only 8 patients (13%) had anemia. After the gluten- free diet, platelet counts decreased from 351.2 ± 11.0 (103 / μL) to 310.5 ± 82.0 (103 / μL), leukocyte count decreased from 8.82 ± 3.04 (103 / μL) to 8.04 ± 2.56 and mean platelet volume decreased from 10.08 ± 1.07 fl to 9.5 ± 1.19 fl. It was determined that there was a significant increase in hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width values. CONCLUSIONS: The most common hematological findings in children with celiac disease are thrombocytosis and anemia. An improvement has been observed in anemia after gluten-free diet. In addition, many hemostasis parameters have been improved with the gluten-free diet