Celiac Disease and Preterm and/or Low Birthweight Births

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetically determined autoimmune condition, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 1%. CD may be diagnosed or undiagnosed, but is usually identified through tests of specific antibodies and duodenal endoscopy. Treatment is the elimination of gluten from the diet. This article reviews six studies examining the relationship between CD and preterm (PTB) and/or low birth weight (LBW) births. Women previously identified with CD had pregnancy outcomes similar to women without CD. Undiagnosed CD, however, was associated with LBW in four of the six studies, and PTB in two studies. No increase in PTB or LBW birth was found in two studies. In these review of the literature, undiagnosed CD was most likely to result in increased risk of PTB or LBW. Nurses, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners can play an important role in identifying and educating women with CD in the preconception and prenatal periods as well as during well woman health visits to potentially reduce PTB and LBW births in women with CD.