“Among women with untreated CD, the risk of multiple miscarriages has been reported to be eight to nine-fold higher than for celiac women on a gluten-free diet”.
Several studies have suggested an association between untreated Celiac Disease (CD) and Infertility, Pre-term births and Miscarriages. Recently, Italian researchers set out to determine the possible “mechanism” underlying the association between CD and pregnancy failure. In the study“Celiac Disease and Human Endometrial Angiogenesis” researchers evaluated certain antibodies involved in the process of placental development. The aim of the study was to “investigate whether antibodies directed against TG2 affect human endometrial angiogenesis, in vitro, on HEEC and in vivo, in a mice model.”
“ … we demonstrated in this study that antigenic structures for anti-TG2 antibodies are present on HEEC. In addition, we showed for the first time that the binding of autoantibodies to endometrial endothelial cells, and their consequent functional inhibition might represent a key mechanism by which anti-TG2 antibodies could affect embryo implantation and placentation. Because endometrial angiogenesis is essential for placental development and fetal growth, this data provides a novel way to explain early pregnancy losses and intrauterine growth retardation related to CD.”
This study highlights a potential mechanism by which damage may occur to a woman’s placenta as a result of undiagnosed Celiac, which could result in poor fetal growth / miscarriage. It also serves as a reminder that sometimes reproductive issues, may be the only manifestation of Celiac Disease, so anyone experiencing infertility, multiple miscarriages, pre-term births, should consider Celiac testing, especially if there is a family history .. rule it out! Also, if you are a diagnosed Celiac thinking about starting a family, but still consuming gluten, you may be putting your (future) fetus at risk.
Read more on the Materials and Methods used in the study.
http://www.biolreprod.org/content/early/2013/08/15/biolreprod.113.109637.full.pdf
