RT Journal Article
T1 Cellular recovery and body composition changes in pediatric celiac disease after the start of a gluten-free diet: a prospective cohort study
A1 Nestares, Teresa
A1 Jiménez Muñoz, María
A1 Torcuato-Rubio, Encarnación
A1 Tamayo Pérez, Laura
A1 De La Flor Alemany, Marta
A1 Herrador-López, Marta
A1 Navas-López, Víctor Manuel
A1 Martin‐Masot, Rafael
K1 Enfermedad celíaca en niños
K1 Dietas sin gluten
K1 Cuerpo humano - Composición
AB Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) alters nutrient absorption and body composi-tion, especially during childhood. Although adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) promotesmucosal recovery, its impact on cellular functionality and metabolic balance remains under-explored. This study aims to evaluate the utility of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis(BIVA) in assessing nutritional status, inflammatory improvement, and body compositionchanges in pediatric patients with CD following a GFD. Methods: Seventy-nine childrenaged 5–14 years were studied. Three groups were analyzed: (1) 25 children with newlydiagnosed CD, evaluated at diagnosis and after 12 months of GFD (prospective cohort);(2) 25 CD patients on a GFD for over 24 months (cross-sectional); and (3) 29 healthy controls.Body composition (fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), phase angle(PhA), and Na+/K+ratio) was measured. GFD adherence was assessed and a dietaryassessment was also performed. Results: After 12 months on a GFD, newly diagnosed CDpatients showed significant increases in FM (from 8.2 to 10.1 kg, p = 0.001), FFM (p = 0.001),and BCM (p = 0.0001), along with a significant decrease in the Na+/K+ratio (p = 0.015).Compared to healthy controls, CD children on GFD for more than 24 months had higherFM (12.2 vs. 8.8 kg, p = 0.013) and lower Na+/K+ratios (p = 0.006). PhA increased slightlyover time but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Our study suggests thatthe adherence to a GFD leads to improved body composition and cellular homeostasis inchildren with CD, as reflected by increases in BCM and reductions in Na+/K+ratio, makingit a promising biomarker for monitoring inflammation and cellular recovery.
PB MDPI
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/39431
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/39431
LA eng
NO Nestares T, Jiménez-Muñoz M, Torcuato-Rubio E, Tamayo Pérez L, de la Flor Alemany M, Herrador-López M, Navas-López V, Martín-Masot R. Cellular Recovery and Body Composition Changes in Pediatric Celiac Disease After the Start of a Gluten-Free Diet: A Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(14):5061.
NO This study was funded by the Regional Government of Andalusia, Excellence Research Project No P21_00101.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 19 ene 2026