Accumulation of bone mass during childhood and adolescence can be undermined by intestinal malabsorption. Treated adult patients with celiac disease (CD) have an increased incidence of osteoporosis. To determine if children with CD have bone mineral density (BMD) deficits similar to those seen in adult patients, we measured lumbar bone mineral density (L 2 –L 4 BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 42 asymptomatic children with treated CD. Patients' personal history determinants were evaluated to predict the risk of osteopenia. Osteopenia was found in 8/19 (42%) boys and 6/23 (26%) girls. The L 2 –L 4 BMD expressed as Z-score was significantly lower in the children with CD in comparison to controls (p < 0.01). After 18 mo, the BMD measurements were repeated in 31 children and there were no further changes in BMD (p = 0.378). The factors significantly correlated with L 2 –L 4 BMD values were: (1) duration of life without gluten-free diet and (2) duration of gluten-free diet. Girls after menarche had a higher BMD compared to controls and to prepubertal girls during the first measurement (p < 0.01 and p < 0.007, respectively). Children with late diagnosis of CD and late onset of dietary treatment are at the highest risk for low BMD. They should be screened for osteopenia in spite of the fact that they may be asymptomatic and on gluten-free diet. The increase in BMD associated with puberty in girls appears not to be impaired by CD.