Celiac disease and the transition from childhood to adulthood: a 28-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Follow-up of celiac disease diagnosed in childhood is variable or nonexistent after transition to adulthood. Outcome, continuity of care, and adherence to a gluten-free diet are poorly documented. We report a 28-yr follow-up of 50 adults in whom the original childhood diagnosis could be confirmed.

METHODS: Original pediatric charts were reviewed, and subjects were invited to undergo dietary evaluation, measurement of bone mineral density, and quality-of-life assessment. The mean duration of celiac was 28.5 yr, median 28.7 yr (range 22-45 yr). The mean and median age of the group was 35 yr.

RESULTS: Only 22% of patients were enrolled in an adult gastroenterology clinic. Fifty percent were fully compliant with a gluten-free diet; 18% were partially compliant; and 32% were not adhering to diet. The main motivating factor for dietary compliance was avoidance of symptoms rather than avoidance of complications. Eighty-six percent of the females and 21% of the males had iron deficiency. Bone mineral density was subnormal in 32%; 28.9% were osteopenic and 2.6% were osteoporotic. Quality-of-life scores were normal.

CONCLUSIONS: Most patients diagnosed with celiac in childhood receive no medical or dietary supervision after transition to adulthood. One-third are not compliant with diet; the primary motivating factor for those who do comply is avoidance of symptoms rather than fear of complications. The prevalence of preventable and treatable disorders in these young adults highlights a failure of health services after transition from pediatric to adult health care. (Am J Gastroenterol 2004;99:1-5).

O'leary C, Wieneke P, Healy M, Cronin C, O'regan P, Shanahan F.

Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Department of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Cork and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals, Cork, Ireland.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Papadini Lentil Bean Pasta: Undeclared Wheat in Rotini Pasta
 
Nov 04, 2004 ALLERGEN ALERT:

Papadini Lentil Bean Rotini Pasta (manufacturing code 010506) was tested on October 25, 2004 by the University of Nebraska Allergy Research & Resource Program Food Laboratory and found to have an undeclared presence of wheat (209ppm). This pasta was packaged in unmarked boxes prior to the current marked boxes that clearly state "Made in facility that also contains wheat, eggs, soy, and corn". This and all other Papadini Lentil Bean pastas have been pulled from our product lines and will no longer be sold at Miss Roben's as a result of this cross contamination. If you have purchased this product from Miss Roben's, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to issue a credit, replacement, or refund for any product you may have purchased that make this line of products unsafe for you in light of this knowledge.

Our goal is safety first and foremost for the consumer. We continue to implore customers to double check all manufacturers prior to consumption for their safety. For further information about this issue please contact Adrienne's at 1-800-937-7010.

We apologize in advance if you have received this information in error or duplication.

Sincerely,

Jay Berger, Senior Technical Support
Miss Roben's, Your Allergy Grocer
91 Western Maryland Pkwy, #7
Hagerstown, MD 21740
800-891-0083 www.allergygrocer.com
The Fresh Face of Miss Roben's
info@allergygrocer.com
phone: 1-800-891-0083 
 
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Families Celebrate Food Allergy Labeling Bill

Children can read labels and understand them!

WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Families with members who have potentially deadly food allergies celebrated on Wednesday the final passage of a Congressional bill requiring foodmakers to list on their product labels any of the eight most common food allergens.

"When I learned to read when I was five, I started with Mother Goose, Dr. Seuss, and ingredients labels," said 12 year-old Alexandra Jaffe, who, along with her three younger siblings, is allergic to peanuts.

Jaffe said she was surprised to learn that a leading brand of popcorn used peanuts in its flavorings, as did a lollipop. With enactment of the "Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act," Jaffe said at a news conference, "I can now start to trust what ingredients labels say."

The measure, which President Bush is expected to sign, would require plain English labeling by 2006 if a product contains wheat, milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or eggs. Those allergens account for an estimated 90 percent of all food allergies.

The House passed the bill by voice vote Tuesday night. The Senate approved it earlier this year as part of broader measure to encourage the development of new medicines for animals.

While many large companies have already moved to simplify their ingredients labels, many smaller companies have not, said Anne Munoz-Furlong of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

As a result, she said, "common foods are listed on labels in uncommon ways," such as albumin instead of eggs, or casein instead of milk. "Fortunately, labels will soon be written for consumers, not scientists," she said.

The bill would also close what its sponsor, Rep. Nita Lowey, a Democrat from New York, calls "the flavoring loophole," in which foods simply list "natural flavors," without explaining what they are. "Consumers will not long have to wonder whether an allergen is hidden in the product," she said.

David Parkinson, 14, said he was caught by that loophole once drinking a smoothie that did not list milk as an ingredient, but included it as a stabilizer. The company did not think it was enough to cause a reaction, "but four hours later I found myself in the hospital," he said.

The bill also requires the Food and Drug Administration to develop a definition of the term "gluten-free" to help people who must avoid most grains, including wheat, rye, and barley. Such a person, medical student Katie Barrett, said she and the estimated 3 million other sufferers will benefit greatly. "Thank you for realizing how important food ingredient labels are for our health," she said.

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.