Italy has launched the first ever child screening law in the world for coeliac disease

Italy is the first nation to require a national screening of children between 2 and 10 years old for coeliac and type 1 diabetic diseases. This was approved by Law 130/2023.

A pilot programme was launched in 2024 to test the feasibility of mass screening. More than 5,000 kids and 400 paediatricians were involved in the pilot program, which took place across four regions including Lombardy (Lombardy), Sardinia (Marche), and Campania.

According to initial results, 2.8–2.9 per cent of children tested positive for coeliac-specific antibodies, more than double the global average of around 1–1.4 per cent. It is possible that many Italian children are living with coeliac disease without being diagnosed.

You can also find out more about the following: study Also, 0.8% of children had markers for type 1 diabetics. This shows the potential of a new law in catching chronic diseases before they become serious.

What is Coeliac Disease (Celiac Disease)?

The coeliac disease is a condition where the body attacks gluten. This damages the small intestine, making it difficult to absorb nutrients. The Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) Only 25 percent of Europeans are diagnosed with the disease.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disorder, occurs when the immune system destroys cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. The body cannot regulate blood glucose levels without insulin.

According to the IDF Diabetes AtlasIn Europe, there are now about 2.7 millions people with type 1 diabetics.

The debate over glyphosate

Beyond genetics, some researchers have argued that environmental factors –particularly the herbicide glyphosate – could be fuelling rising coeliac rates.

You can also find out more about the A-Team here. 2013 paper by Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff They suggested that “glyphosate may be the most important cause” of the epidemic. The analysis revealed that glyphosate-exposed animals showed similar damage to the guts of coeliacs.

In a European urine study, 44 percent of city dwellers showed glyphosate-detectable residues. This suggests that diet is a major exposure pathway.

The theory is still controversial. Although mainstream medical organisations haven’t confirmed glyphosate to be a proven cause, many experts attribute an increase in diagnoses due to increased screening and awareness.

The Italian Coeliac Society, part of the National Observatory created by law, has played a key role in increasing awareness amongst families and healthcare professionals.

Health experts from around the globe are watching closely to see if mass screening can reshape child healthcare policies in other countries.

In order to share its findings, the Association of European Coeliac Societies is hosting a special webinar:

The event will feature Olimpia Vincentini, Senior Scientist at the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), with an introduction by Giorgio Mulè, Vice-President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and promoter of the law.

Italia’s bold experiment, which revealed a coeliac prevalence rate more than twice the expected level in early testing could encourage other countries to adopt a similar approach. Cost, logistics, as well as whether or not such a wide-scale test should be part of paediatric treatment, remain questions.

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