Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and gluten sensitivity in children

INTRODUCTION: Dietary factors are considered one of the possible environmental risk factors for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between ADHD and celiac disease (CD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) in children.
METHODS: In this prospective study, the children with ADHD, aged 6-18 years, were asked for the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and their relationship with gluten intake with a previously prepared questionnaire form. Also, they were screened for CD (anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin (Ig) A and total IgA) and NCGS (anti-gliadin IgA/ IgG antibodies).
RESULTS: Of the 117 children (76% male), the mean age was 9.2 ± 2.4 years. Ninety-six patients (82%) had no gastrointestinal complaints. There was no relationship between gluten intake and complaints in the patients who had constipation (12.8%), recurrent abdominal pain (2.5%), dyspeptic symptoms (1.7%), and irritable bowel syndrome (0.8%). None of the patients had anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA or IgG positivity. Only 1 (0.8%) patient had anti-gliadin IgA, 6 (5.1%) patients had anti-gliadin IgG positivity. There wasn’t any relation between the presence of symptoms and anti-gliadin IgG positivity (p= 0.08).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There was no increase in the frequency of CD and NCGS in the children with ADHD